Cyber Essentials cost: What UK businesses really need to know

If you run a UK business with 10–200 staff, you’ve probably heard you should get Cyber Essentials. Good idea. The tricky part is working out the Cyber Essentials cost and whether it’s actually worth the time and money. Here’s a plain-English guide that focuses on business impact, not IT jargon.

Quick answer

There are two main routes: Cyber Essentials (self-assessment) and Cyber Essentials Plus (independent testing). The cost you’ll pay depends on three things: the certification route, whether you buy external help, and how much fixing your IT needs first. Budget for a modest one-off certification fee plus the internal time and any remediation work. Expect renewal every year.

What drives the Cyber Essentials cost?

Think of cost as three buckets: certification fees, implementation (or remediation) costs, and ongoing costs. Every business will have a different mix.

1. Certification fees

This is what you pay the certification body to assess and issue the certificate. For the Cyber Essentials self-assessment route you’ll pay a lower fee; Cyber Essentials Plus is more expensive because it includes technical testing. Certified bodies in the UK offer different prices, so shop around and check what’s included.

2. Implementation and remediation

Many SMEs already have most of the required controls, but some do not. If you need to patch servers, buy licences, change configurations, or replace old kit, those are real costs. If you bring in an external consultant to get you ready, that’s extra too. This is usually the biggest and most variable part of Cyber Essentials cost.

3. Ongoing costs

Certification lasts one year, so there’s an annual renewal fee. Plus, you’ll want to maintain the controls that keep you certified: patching, backups, staff awareness training and maybe managed security services. These are recurring expenses but also the things that actually reduce business risk.

Typical price ranges (UK market: what to expect)

Price will vary by supplier and company complexity. I won’t pretend these are hard facts — call them ballpark figures you can use when getting quotes:

• Cyber Essentials (self-assessment): lower-cost certification fees, plus any remediation. You’ll commonly see this sitting at a modest price point for a small business if no major fixes are needed.
• Cyber Essentials Plus: higher certification fee because of hands-on testing; expect a larger bill if your estate is more complex or you need external help.

Rather than focus on exact numbers, concentrate on which option you need and how much remedial work is required. The self-assessment route is quicker and cheaper; Plus gives greater assurance (useful for tenders that demand it).

How much time will it take?

Time is money. For many businesses the internal work to prepare a Cyber Essentials submission can be done in a few days to a few weeks, depending on how organised your IT is. If you outsource preparation it can be done faster but you pay for the convenience. Allow extra time if you need to replace unsupported kit or complete staff training.

Reducing the cost without cutting corners

If you want the benefits of certification without unnecessary expense, focus on three practical steps:

• Scope sensibly. Only include what you need to in the certification. Don’t let the assessor scope the whole estate unless it’s necessary for contracts or insurance.
• Do a gap check first. A short, targeted review (internal or external) will show exactly what needs fixing and prevent surprise bills.
• Reuse what you already have. If you already have strong patching, endpoint protection and access controls, you’re probably closer to passing than you think.

Which businesses should choose Cyber Essentials Plus?

If your customers or suppliers require proof of independent testing for tenders, or you handle sensitive data and want stronger assurance, Cyber Essentials Plus is the better option. It costs more, but it reduces the chance of an assessor uncovering a major gap that could hurt your reputation or your ability to win work.

Questions to ask potential certifiers or consultants

Keep it short and business-like. Useful questions:

• Exactly what’s included in your fee (number of devices, retests, support hours)?
• How do you handle scope — endpoint, servers, cloud services?
• Can you provide a clear remediation list and cost estimate before we start?
• What’s the expected timeline from kick-off to certificate?

Return on investment — the business case for Cyber Essentials

Don’t treat Cyber Essentials as a box-ticking exercise. The right approach gives you tangible benefits:

• Procurement advantages — many public & private tenders in the UK now expect Cyber Essentials.
• Lower cyber insurance premiums or smoother claims processes with clear security controls in place.
• Reduced risk of a damaging but avoidable cyber incident, which can cost you more in money and reputation than the cost of certification.

Common pitfalls that add cost

Avoid these and you won’t pay more than you need to:

• Under-scoping: adding systems mid-process because you didn’t decide boundaries up front.
• Buying the fanciest consultant before you know what you need — a focused gap analysis is cheaper and often all you need.
• Delaying remediation: small fixes done quickly are usually cheaper than emergency replacements later.

FAQ

How often do I need to renew Cyber Essentials and how much will that cost?

Cyber Essentials certification is valid for 12 months, so you’ll need to renew annually. Expect a renewal fee (often lower than the initial fee), plus any costs for changes in your IT estate or additional remediation work. Treat renewal as part of your annual security budget rather than a one-off surprise.

Can I get Cyber Essentials without an external consultant?

Yes. The self-assessment route is designed for businesses to complete themselves if they have the know-how internally. If your IT team is busy or you want the fastest, surest route to passing, a consultant can be cost-effective — but it’s not mandatory.

Will Cyber Essentials protect me from all cyber threats?

No. Cyber Essentials focuses on basic but effective controls (patching, access, anti-malware, etc.) that stop common threats. It’s a baseline, not a silver bullet. For higher-risk businesses you should layer additional controls and reviews on top of Cyber Essentials.

How do I know if I need Cyber Essentials Plus?

If clients or tenders explicitly require Plus, if you want independent assurance, or if you handle particularly sensitive data and want technical testing done, choose Cyber Essentials Plus. Otherwise, the self-assessment route will often be sufficient for smaller organisations.

Final thoughts

Cyber Essentials cost is rarely just a single number. It’s a package: the certificate, the time to get ready, any remediation, and the ongoing work to stay compliant. The sensible approach is to scope the work, get a short gap review, and then decide whether to do the self-assessment or pay for the Plus route. That way you control the expense and focus on the business benefits — procurement eligibility, insurance clarity and fewer sleepless nights.

If you want to know roughly how much Cyber Essentials will cost your business, a short review often shows whether you’re ready or what the quick wins are. A little time invested now can save money later, boost credibility with customers and tenders, and give you more calm when the inevitable security questions arrive.