One of best ways to show that your organisation has the most important cyber security controls in place is by maintaining Cyber Essentials certification. Annual renewal is essential to ensure your organisation remains resilient against evolving cyber threats. In this blog, we’ll explore the importance of renewing your Cyber Essentials certification and the benefits it brings to your business.
Why Cyber Essentials certification matters
The Cyber Essentials scheme, developed by the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), is a government-backed framework designed to help organisations protect themselves from the most common cyber threats. By implementing the five key controls outlined in the scheme, sole traders, start ups, charities and organisations of every size and across all sectors can significantly reduce their vulnerability to attacks.
Cyber Essentials is the minimum baseline standard advised by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and has a proven, significant impact on strengthening a company’s cyber defences.
92% reduction in cyber incidents: Cyber insurance is included with Cyber Essentials for most SMEs. The claim data for these can be compared to the claim data from identical cyber insurance for SMEs that are not certified. This data shows that organisations certified to Cyber Essentials are 92% less likely to make a cyber insurance claim compared to those without certification.
80% reduction in incidents at scale: St. James’s Place, one of the UK’s largest pensions and life companies, mandated Cyber Essentials Plus certification for over 2,800 independent businesses in its network. The result? Overnight they saw an 80% reduction in cyber security incidents.
The evolving nature of cyber threats
Cybercrime is not static; it evolves constantly. Hackers are always finding new vulnerabilities to exploit, and the tools they use are becoming more sophisticated. To keep pace with these changes, the Cyber Essentials scheme is updated regularly. Each year, a team of experts from NCSC and IASME reviews and revises the certification requirements to reflect the latest threat landscape and ensure the framework remains effective.
By renewing your Cyber Essentials certification annually, your organisation is prompted to examine and evaluate its cyber security measures. This process ensures that you’re not only meeting the latest standards but also addressing any gaps or weaknesses that may have emerged over time. Without this regular review, it’s easy for security practices to become outdated, leaving your business exposed to new risks.
The benefits of annual renewal
Renewing your Cyber Essentials certification is more than just a compliance exercise—it’s a strategic investment in your organisation’s security, reputation, and growth. Here are some of the key benefits:
Continuous improvement
The annual renewal process acts as a built-in mechanism for continuous improvement. It encourages organisations to regularly review their cyber security measures, identify areas for enhancement, and implement best practices. For example, businesses often discover during renewal that certain controls, such as multi-factor authentication (MFA), may have lapsed or been inconsistently applied. Renewal ensures these issues are addressed promptly.
Up-to-date protection against cyber threats
The act of going through the certification process each year serves as a valuable checklist for your organisation. It helps you stay on top of new and evolving security issues, ensuring that your defences remain robust. With cyber threats becoming more sophisticated, this proactive approach is essential for staying one step ahead of attackers.
Strengthened supply chain relationships and opening doors to new contracts
Cyber Essentials certification is increasingly being demanded within supply chains and for contract tenders. By maintaining your certification, you position your company as a trusted and reliable partner, giving you a competitive edge in the marketplace.
Access to cyber insurance
For qualifying organisations, Cyber Essentials certification includes £25,000 in cyber insurance at no additional cost. This insurance provides a safety net in the event of a cyber incident, along with access to a 24-hour technical and legal incident response service. Renewing your certification ensures you continue to benefit from this valuable coverage.
Preparing for renewal: What you need to know
Renewing your Cyber Essentials certification is a straightforward process, but it’s important to plan ahead. Here are some key points to keep in mind:
Start early, but not too early: While it’s never too soon to begin preparing for renewal, be mindful that your new certificate will be valid for 12 months from the date of submission—not from the expiry date of your previous certificate. Timing your renewal appropriately ensures you maximise the validity period.
Review updated requirements: The Cyber Essentials assessment questions and technical requirements are reviewed regularly, so there may be changes since your last assessment. Familiarise yourself with the latest version to ensure your organisation is fully prepared.
Leverage available resources: The IASME website and the Cyber Essentials Knowledge Hub offer comprehensive information, guidance, and support to help you navigate the renewal process. Take advantage of these resources to streamline your efforts.
Consider upgrading: If you’re looking to increase your level of assurance, consider upgrading to Cyber Essentials Plus which includes a technical audit of your organisation’s systems to verify that the Cyber Essentials controls are in place.
“Annual renewal of your Cyber Essentials certification is vital to ensure your organisation remains protected against the latest cyber threats. Cyber security is not a one-time effort, and certification renewal ensures you evaluate your security controls, adapt to evolving risks, and maintain trust with your customers and partners.”
Emma W, Head of Cyber Essentials at the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC)