5 Reasons for a Business to Get Cyber Essentials Certification

Cybersecurity has shifted from being an IT issue to a core business risk. 

From household‑name organisations being brought to a standstill, to large companies demanding stronger cybersecurity from their suppliers, Cyber Essentials certification is now one of the most practical steps a business can take to protect itself. 

At DSM, we work in partnership with Fortis Cyber to help businesses across the South West achieve Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus, clearly, efficiently and without jargon. 

Before we look at why it matters, let’s start with the basics. 

What is Cyber Essentials certification?

Cyber Essentials is a UK government‑backed cybersecurity certification scheme, designed to protect organisations from the most common cyber attacks.

Rather than focusing on complex or expensive tools, Cyber Essentials concentrates on five essential security controls that prevent the majority of attacks used against UK businesses:

1. Firewalls – to stop unauthorised access to your network

2. Secure configuration – ensuring devices and systems are set up safely

3. User access control – limiting access to only what staff need

4. Malware protection – defending against viruses and ransomware

5. Patch management – keeping systems up to date and secure

There are two levels of certification:

• Cyber Essentials – a verified self‑assessment

• Cyber Essentials Plus – includes independent technical testing

For most SMEs, it’s the starting point for building sensible, effective cyber resilience.

Why Cyber Essentials matters more than ever

1. Certified businesses are significantly less likely to suffer cyber attacks

Cyber Essentials is proven to work.

Government and National Cyber Security Centre data show organisations with Cyber Essentials are far less likely to fall victim to common cyber attacks and are significantly less likely to need to make a cyber insurance claim1.

That’s because most attacks don’t rely on advanced hacking. They exploit:

• Weak passwords

• Unpatched systems

• Excessive user permissions

• Poor device configuration

  
  

Cyber Essentials removes these easy entry points.

2. Supply chain pressure is increasing 

Cybersecurity is no longer assessed in isolation. 

The UK government has formally asked FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 companies to require Cyber Essentials certification across their supply chains, meaning smaller suppliers increasingly need certification to win or retain work. 

For many SMEs, Cyber Essentials is now a commercial requirement, not just a security one. 

3. It demonstrates trust, professionalism and credibility 

Cyber Essentials is a recognised, government‑backed standard, which makes it far more than a technical badge.

Certification provides clear reassurance to customers, partners, insurers and suppliers that your business takes cyber security and data protection seriously. Rather than relying on informal assurances, you can demonstrate that baseline protections have been independently verified and are in place.

Being Cyber Essentials certified shows that:

• You have taken deliberate steps to protect business and customer data

• Security controls are applied consistently across your organisation

• Cyber risk is being managed, not ignored

  
  

In practical terms, this can:

• Increase confidence during procurement and tender processes

• Reduce delays or follow‑up questions from insurers and brokers

• Strengthen trust with customers who are increasingly aware of cyber risks

  
  

For many businesses, Cyber Essentials now plays a similar role to recognised health &

safety or quality standards, a clear signal that your organisation operates responsibly and professionally.

4. It’s practical, affordable and achievable for SMEs 

Cyber Essentials was specifically designed with small and medium‑sized businesses in mind.

Unlike many cybersecurity frameworks, it does not require:

• Enterprise‑level budgets

• In‑house cyber specialists

• Complex tooling or long implementation projects

  
  

Instead, it focuses on doing the simple things properly, addressing the everyday weaknesses that cyber criminals rely on most.

With the right guidance and support, most SMEs can:

• Understand the requirements quickly

• Identify and resolve gaps efficiently

• Achieve certification without disrupting day‑to‑day operations

  
  

For many organisations, Cyber Essentials becomes a practical foundation on which wider cyber security improvements can later be built, at a pace and cost that makes sense for the business.

This is exactly why it continues to be recommended by the UK government and insurers alike as the most accessible starting point for cyber resilience.

5. Cyber insurance increasingly requires Cyber Essentials‑level security.

Cyber insurance has changed dramatically in recent years.

Insurers are no longer willing to cover organisations that lack basic cybersecurity controls. Many policies now require evidence of fundamental protections, and in many cases, Cyber Essentials is either explicitly requested or used as a recognised benchmark during underwriting and renewal.

Businesses without clear baseline controls are increasingly facing:

• Higher premiums

• Reduced coverage

• Higher excesses

• Claims are being challenged after an incident

  
  

From an insurer’s perspective, this makes sense. Most cyber claims stem from preventable weaknesses such as:

• Poor patching

• Weak access controls

• Lack of malware protection

• Insecure device configurations

  
  

These are exactly the areas Cyber Essentials is designed to address.

For many SMEs, Cyber Essentials is becoming the simplest way to demonstrate cyber insurability, reduce friction at renewal, and strengthen their position should a claim ever be made.

How DSM & Fortis Cyber support your certification 

DSM works in partnership with Fortis Cyber to deliver Cyber Essentials across the South West, providing: 

• Clear gap analysis 

• Practical remediation support 

• Hands‑on guidance through certification 

• Ongoing advice beyond the certificate 

  
  

No scare tactics. No unnecessary complexity. Just sensible cybersecurity that protects your business:

Read more here about how DSM and Fortis are working together to deliver these certifications