Cyber Essentials

What is Cyber Essentials?

Cyber Essentials is the UK Government-backed certification scheme, delivered by IASME for the National Cyber Security Centre, that sets a clear baseline of technical controls to help organisations operate securely online.

Achieving Cyber Essentials or Cyber Essentials Plus signals a measurable commitment to cyber security for customers, stakeholders, and supply-chain partners, and can support eligibility for certain UK Government and public-sector contracts. Where applicable, certified UK organisations may also opt-in to included cyber liability insurance, provided the certification covers the whole organisation and eligibility conditions are met.

Why does my business need Cyber Essentials certification?

Cyber Essentials is more than just compliance; it is a practical step towards protecting your organisation and demonstrating trust. Certification can help you:

  • Reduce your risk of attack by addressing threats such as phishing, malware, and unauthorised access.
  • Show credibility and trust to clients, suppliers, and stakeholders by proving your commitment to cyber security.
  • Support wider compliance with GDPR and other sector-specific security standards.
  • Win new business by meeting requirements for government contracts and many private-sector tenders.
  • Benefit financially as some insurers lower premiums or improve terms for certified organisations.

Why choose Alltime Technologies to support your Cyber Essentials journey?

Selecting the right certification partner makes the difference between a smooth, supportive experience and a frustrating one. At Alltime Technologies, we bring a unique combination of expertise, flexibility, and proven credibility

Licensed Certification Body

We have been a licensed Certification Body since 2025 and have achieved a 95% pass rate across our recorded assessments.
Fast-track turnaround

We can complete the Cyber Essentials self-assessment in as little as 24 hours, subject to a complete and accurate submission, assessor availability, and prompt customer responses.
Experienced in-house assessors

Our team includes a pool of qualified assessors, ensuring that reviews are consistent, efficient, and backed by genuine cyber security expertise.
Supportive retest policy

We offer up to two complimentary retests, giving you the confidence to address any issues without fear of additional costs or penalties.
Business-focused approach

As an established managed services and cyber security provider, we understand the pressures on small and medium-sized businesses and guide you through certification in a way that is clear and pragmatic.

Our Packages

As an IASME-licensed Certification Body for the Cyber Essentials scheme, we provide Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus assessments together with practical support and guidance for organisations working towards certification.

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Certification Cyber Essentials
Self Assessment 		Cyber Essentials
Consultant Assessment 		Cyber Essentials Plus
Self Assessment 		Cyber Essentials Plus
Consultant Assessment
Assessment yes yes yes yes
Assessment Window 2-day window 2-day window 2-day window 2-day window
Vulnerability Scanning* - - yes yes
Remediation Window - - 30 days 30 days
Cyber Liability Insurance** yes yes yes yes
Consultant Support - 2 hours - 4 hours
ISMS Policy Pack*** - yes - yes

* Vulnerability scanning is often a valuable addition for organisations preparing for Cyber Essentials Plus certification, helping to identify and remediate security weaknesses before assessment.
** For many customers, the included Cyber Insurance is a crucial part of the overall Cyber Essentials package. It’s a valuable benefit, subject to eligibility. Please look for more information in the IASME website.
*** Our ISMS Policy Packs come in several flavours; from those that align specifically to Cyber Essentials, through more complex Business Management System practices/processes to full ISO 27001 compliant processes and procedures.

To maintain the independence and integrity of the Cyber Essentials scheme, assessments may be conducted by an independent Certification Body where a conflict of interest could arise.

Consultant Support can be used for scope reviews, questionnaire guidance, evidence reviews, policy development, remediation planning and general certification assistance.

Our Prices

We keep Cyber Essentials pricing simple and transparent, following the official IASME tiered model. Your assessment cost is based solely on the size of your organisation, making it easy to see exactly what you’ll pay with no hidden extras

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Company size Cyber Essentials
Self Assessment 		Cyber Essentials
Consultant Assessment 		Cyber Essentials Plus
Self Assessment 		Cyber Essentials Plus
Consultant Assessment
Micro (0-9 employees) £320 £420 £720 £1,040
Small (10-49 exmployees) £440 £590 £840 £1,240
Medium (50-249 employees) £500 £750 £900 £1,400
Large (250+ employees) £600 £950 £1,000 £1800

All prices are excluding VAT.

Frequently asked questions

Thinking about Cyber Essentials but not sure where to start? Our FAQ section gives you clear, no-nonsense answers to the most common questions – from what the certification involves, to how quickly you can achieve it, and the business benefits you’ll gain. By addressing your concerns up front, we make it simple to see why Cyber Essentials is the smartest step towards securing your organisation and winning customer confidence.

Cyber Essentials is a UK government-backed certification scheme designed to help organisations of all sizes protect themselves against the most common cyber threats. It demonstrates that you have essential cyber security measures in place, and reassures clients, partners, and insurers that you take data protection seriously.

If your organisation handles sensitive information, works in a supply chain, or bids for UK government contracts, yes, Cyber Essentials is essential. It’s particularly relevant for businesses in sectors like finance, healthcare, and the public sector. Even if it’s not a legal requirement, it’s a smart step towards better security and business credibility.

You’ll complete a self-assessment questionnaire covering five key technical controls:

  • Firewalls and internet gateways
  • Secure configuration
  • User access control
  • Malware protection
  • Patch management

Your responses are reviewed by a qualified assessor.

  • Cyber Essentials is a self-assessment certification.
  • Cyber Essentials Plus includes everything in the basic version, plus a technical audit performed by a qualified assessor. This hands-on audit tests your systems to ensure the controls are implemented and working effectively. It’s recommended for businesses with higher risks or more complex IT setups.

Cyber Essentials certification is valid for 12 months. After that, you’ll need to re-certify to maintain your status and continue demonstrating your commitment to cyber security.

Yes, for many UK government contracts, especially those involving sensitive data or certain technical services, Cyber Essentials is a minimum requirement. Without it, you may be ineligible to bid.

Working with trusted partners

We partner with a carefully curated network of vendors whose proven efficiency and excellence mirror our own high standards, enabling us to offer complementary products and services that drive strategic growth, efficiency and security, and echo an ethos of continual improvement.

Take control of cyber risk with confidence

Contact Alltime today to start your journey

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