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Don’t let the wrong IT partner cost you more than just money. Here’s exactly what to look for.

How To Choose An IT Support Provider

Cyber Essentials Plus Provider

Choosing the right Cyber Essentials Plus provider can be the difference between a smooth certification journey and weeks of frustrating delays. First Stop IT is an IASME-licensed Certification Body offering structured pre-assessments, expert remediation support, and hands-on guidance – so you protect your business against common cyber threats and achieve certification on your first attempt.

  • IASME-Licensed Certification Body
  • Expert Remediation & Pre-Assessment Support
  • First-Attempt Certification Success
Start Your Certification
  • IASME Licensed · Certification Body
  • Cyber Essentials · Certified Organisation
  • NCSC Cyber Advisor · Approved Scheme
  • HM Government · G-Cloud Supplier
  • 25+ Years · IT Experience

The Scheme Explained

What is Cyber Essentials Plus?

Cyber Essentials Plus is the advanced tier of the UK government-backed Cyber Essentials scheme, endorsed by the National Cyber Security Centre and delivered through IASME-licensed Certification Bodies.

Unlike the basic certification- which relies on a self-assessment questionnaire- Cyber Essentials Plus requires an independent technical audit with hands-on verification. An assessor conducts external vulnerability scanning, authenticated internal assessments, and simulated malware and phishing attacks on your endpoint devices.

Certificates remain valid for 12 months. Your Plus audit must be completed within 90 days of achieving basic Cyber Essentials certification.

1. Firewalls & Internet Gateways
Protecting your network boundary and internet-facing IP addresses from unauthorised access.

2. Secure Configuration
Ensuring systems are set up to minimise attack surface and reduce vulnerabilities.

3. User Access Control
Managing who can access what, including account separation and privileged access management.

4. Malware Protection
Defending end-user devices against malicious software through anti-malware and application controls.

5. Security Update Management
Keeping software, firmware, and internet browsers patched within 14 days of release.

Basic vs Plus: The Key Difference

Basic Cyber Essentials relies on your own self-declared answers reviewed by a Certification Body.

Cyber Essentials Plus goes further, an independent assessor verifies your controls are actually working in practice.

Certificate Validity: 12 months from certification date

Basic CE Required First: Must be certified within 90 days prior

Scheme Backed By: National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC)

Which Level Do You Need?

Cyber Essentials vs Cyber Essentials Plus

Many organisations begin with basic Cyber Essentials before progressing to Plus. Here’s how to identify the right level for your situation.

FeatureCyber EssentialsCyber Essentials Plus ★ Recommended
Assessment MethodSelf-assessment questionnaireIndependent technical audit
VerificationReviewed declarationHands-on penetration testing & vulnerability assessment
Assurance LevelSelf-certified baselineIndependently validated security posture
External Vulnerability Scan✗ No✓ Yes
Internal Endpoint Testing✗ No✓ Yes
Phishing Simulation✗ No✓ Yes
Government/MOD Supply ChainsOften acceptedFrequently required
Cyber Insurance EligibilityBasic coverageEnhanced coverage (up to £25k free)
Typical CostLower investmentModerate investment – higher assurance

Commercial Value

The Business Case for Cyber Essentials Plus

With ransomware and supply-chain attacks continuing to surge across UK businesses, the urgency to demonstrate robust cyber security has never been greater. Cyber Essentials Plus provides independently validated assurance, not just a self-declared tick-box.

For organisations handling sensitive data or connecting to government systems, the certificate signals genuine commitment to protecting customers and maintaining business continuity.

  • Eligibility for UK public sector tenders requiring Cyber Essentials accreditation
  • Compliance with MOD supply-chain requirements (mandated via DEFCON since 2014)
  • Enhanced customer trust through an independently validated certificate
  • Free cyber insurance, eligible UK organisations receive up to £25,000 cyber liability cover
  • Competitive advantage when bidding against uncertified competitors
  • Stronger foundation for progression to ISO 27001 or NIST CSF alignment

By the Numbers

£25k

Free cyber liability insurance available to eligible UK organisations

90 days

Maximum gap between basic CE and Plus audit under scheme rules

2014

MOD DEFCON mandate for CE certification in defence supply chains

12 months

Certificate validity, annual recertification maintains compliance

How It Works

The Cyber Essentials Plus Assessment Process

From initial enquiry to certified status, our structured process removes uncertainty and keeps your team focused on remediation, not paperwork.

01

Discovery & Scoping

We conduct an initial call to understand your organisation, review network diagrams, and identify all systems in scope. This stage defines what will be tested and sets the project timeline.

⏱ ~1 Week

02

Gap Analysis & Pre-Assessment

Before formal testing, we identify vulnerabilities and configuration issues. This critical step allows remediation before the audit clock starts, protecting your first-attempt pass rate.

⏱ ~1 Week

03

Remediation Period

Most organisations need 2–4 weeks to address identified gaps. We provide prioritised remediation support, helping your team fix issues in the right order and verify changes are effective.

⏱ 2–4 Weeks

04

Formal CE+ Testing

The independent audit includes external vulnerability assessment, authenticated internal scanning of endpoints and servers, and malware/phishing simulation on sample end-user devices.

⏱ ~1 Week

05

Assessment Report & Certification

Following successful testing, we issue a detailed technical report, an executive summary for board-level review, and your official Cyber Essentials Plus certificate with unique reference number.

⏱ ~3 Days

06

Post-Certification Support

We schedule your renewal reminder, provide continuous vulnerability scanning guidance, and support your progression toward ISO 27001 or further security frameworks.

⏱ Ongoing

Due Diligence

How to Choose the Right Cyber Essentials Plus Provider

Selecting the right provider directly affects your cost, timeline, and likelihood of achieving certification on the first attempt. Use this checklist in your evaluation.

Verify Accreditation

  • Confirm IASME licensing through the official finder tool
  • Ask how many CE+ certifications delivered since 2018
  • Check for NCSC Assured Provider or ISO 27001 credentials

Assess Sector Experience

  • Request examples from similar organisations (housing, legal, NHS, SaaS)
  • Confirm understanding of relevant regulations (GDPR, DSPT, DEFCON)
  • Ask about experience with your specific tech stack and cloud services

Understand Pricing

  • Prefer fixed-fee over day-rate (prevents cost escalation)
  • Clarify whether re-tests are included or charged separately
  • Request itemised quotes showing each stage clearly

Evaluate Process Quality

  • Look for clear scoping workshops before commitment
  • Ask for sample reports to assess quality and clarity
  • Confirm written remediation plans with prioritised actions

Luckily, we have all of this covered if you're looking for a provider!
We're following the National Cyber Security Centre's (NSCS) Advice on being a great Cyber Security provider.

Find Out More Here...

Why Use a Provider

Five Reasons to Work With an Experienced CE+ Provider

Most organisations lack the in-house expertise to navigate certification independently. A specialist provider bridges that gap, structurally and practically.

Reduced First-Attempt Failure Risk

Thorough pre-assessments identify gaps before the formal audit begins. Remediation happens before testing, not after a failed and costly re-attempt.

Faster Route to Bid-Ready Status

Public sector contracts, MOD supply chains, and NHS suppliers increasingly require CE+ accreditation. We get you there quickly and with confidence.

Expert Remediation Guidance

Prioritised, plain-English remediation plans tell your team exactly what to fix and in what order; no guesswork, no wasted effort on low-priority items.

Clear Documentation Upfront

Structured questionnaires, templated documentation, and evidence checklists mean your team knows exactly what’s needed from day one.

Annual Recertification Support

A quality provider doesn’t disappear after certificate issuance. We plan your renewal 2–3 months ahead to prevent gaps in certification status.

Investment Guide

Cyber Essentials Plus Costs & Timeframes

Costs vary by organisation size, number of locations, and network complexity. Indicative UK pricing for 2024–2026 based on a straightforward single-site environment.

Organisation Size Employees Starting From Typical Timeline What’s Included
Micro 0–9 employees £1,499 + VAT 2–4 weeks Scoping, gap analysis, testing, certificate & report
Small 10–49 employees £1,999 + VAT 3–5 weeks As above + remediation support & evidence checklist
Medium 50–249 employees £2,499 + VAT 4–6 weeks As above + executive summary & policy templates
Large 250+ employees £2,999 + VAT 6–8 weeks As above + on-site audit option & annual renewal planning

Note: Always request a written quote based on a clear asset inventory. Factors that increase cost include multiple locations, large endpoint counts, regulated environments, and out-of-hours testing windows.

Client Feedback

What Our Clients Say

★★★★★

“The team at First Stop IT made the whole Cyber Essentials Plus process straightforward. Their pre-assessment was thorough, and we passed the first time, exactly what we needed before our NHS contract went live.”

Sophie, Operations Director
Healthcare Supplier, Hertfordshire

★★★★★

“Danny went above and beyond to help with something complex. The remediation guidance was prioritised clearly, and the executive summary made it easy to brief the board. A great team.”

Steve, IT Manager
Professional Services, Essex

★★★★★

“Very helpful and responsive throughout. We needed certification quickly for a public sector bid and First Stop IT delivered on time with no surprises. The documentation they provided was excellent.”

Ted, Managing Director
Technology SME, Essex

Start Your Cyber Essentials Plus Journey

Get a free scoping call with our team. We’ll review your environment, confirm what’s in scope, and give you a clear proposal with no hidden costs. Most organisations are certified within 2–8 weeks.

Book a Free Scoping Call
Call 0345 450 7876

98%

Of client issues resolved
first time