When is it time to upgrade to Cyber Essentials Plus?

Upgrading to Cyber Essentials plus is a significant step in enhancing your organisation’s security posture. Not only will you be strengthening your defences, but you will also foster trust among clients and demonstrate to stakeholders that you're committed to cybersecurity.

While 12% of businesses are aware of the Cyber Essentials (CE) scheme, only 3% are certified, according to the DSIT Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2024. Despite this, there's a growing trend of organisations incorporating Cyber Essentials into their supplier requirements, particularly in the financial sector, so implementing this framework can also provide your business with a significant competitive advantage.

Cyber Essentials Basic vs. Cyber Essentials Plus –What’s the difference?

The aim of the Cyber Essentials certifications is to ensure businesses of all types and sizes understand, and can implement, the most fundamental IT security measures.

Cyber Essentials Basic is a self-assessment questionnaire focused on your policies and processes. It’s a simple and straightforward way to ensure you have basic security measurements in place.

Cyber Essentials Plus incorporates an external audit of an applicant’s security controls and acts as an independent validation of the answers provided in the CE Basic questionnaire.

So, when is the right time to upgrade to Cyber Essentials Plus?

CE Plus is a highly regarded certification which provides two important additional benefits over the CE Basic certification – external validation of controls completed by an experienced security consultant, and a higher level of security assurance for internal and external stakeholders.

To be eligible for CE Plus, you need to have already passed the CE Basic questionnaire. You then have 3 months to gain certification for CE plus.

We recommend investing in CE Plus if you meet any of the following criteria:

• You’re looking for a higher level of security assurance regarding your cybersecurity practices
• You want to demonstrate your commitment to cybersecurity to your clients and stakeholders
• You want to build a more robust cybersecurity management strategy

Benefits of Cyber Essentials Plus

Upgrading to Cyber Essentials Plus offers a range of benefits that go beyond the foundational protections of the Basic certification. Achieving this level of certification signals a strong commitment to data protection, regulatory compliance, and industry best practices, giving clients evidence that your organisation is capable of handling sensitive information securely, and is actively mitigating risks.

• Enhanced security assurance
• Demonstrate commitment to cybersecurity
• Foster trust among clients and stakeholders
• Stand apart from competitors
• Meet regulatory requirements

The certification provides clear confirmation that you have appropriate security controls in place. It demonstrates a proactive approach to risk management and data protection, which is particularly valuable to clients, partners, and stakeholders. By meeting the CE Plus standard, an organisation shows it has robust measures to defend against cyber threats, reinforcing trust and reliability in its operations.

One of the most significant advantages is eligibility for government contracts. Public sector tenders often mandate CE Plus certification, recognising it as a trusted benchmark for fundamental cybersecurity requirements.

Through regular assessments aligned with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) standards, organisations can ensure their internal processes are both effective and up to date. This supports continuous improvement and accountability in cybersecurity practices.

CE Plus is more than just a certification, it’s a strategic investment that enhances reputation and demonstrates your commitment to cyber resilience.

How PGI can support your organisation with CE Plus

At PGI, we understand that navigating the path to achieving the Cyber Essentials Plus certification can be complex, but we’re here to support you.

• Achieve your CE Plus certification with confidence
• Leverage CE Plus to its maximum potential
• Comprehensive gap analysis
• Tailored consultation
• Ongoing compliance support

Our team has successfully delivered hundreds of CE Plus engagements across a wide range of sectors. We provide both technical knowledge and the practical insight needed to overcome common challenges and achieve certification with confidence.

As an officially authorised assessor accredited by IASME, PGI adheres to the highest standards of quality and compliance. This accreditation reassures clients that they are working with a trusted partner who is recognised for delivering excellence in cybersecurity certification.

To maximise your chances of success, we can provide a detailed gap analysis, or offer consultancy with an assessor to help you identify areas for improvement before undergoing the formal assessment. This will increase your likelihood of passing first time, save you time and resources and speed up the process.

For organisations that may be struggling with specific requirements or technical implementations, PGI offers targeted consultation to address those issues directly. Our expert team works closely with you to apply the necessary controls effectively, ensuring that all aspects of CE Plus compliance are properly understood and executed.

We stay ahead of the curve when it comes to regulatory updates and changes to the CE Plus framework. Our clients benefit from up-to-date guidance and expert advice on implementing new or evolving requirements, keeping your organisation fully compliant, not just for initial certification, but for renewals as well.

With PGI’s human-led approach and close support, your organisation can approach CE Plus with confidence and get the most value out of your certification. 

Get in touch with us today to see how we can help you upgrade your cybersecurity with CE Plus.