September 1, 2025
Without Cyber Essentials Certification, your organisation could be vulnerable to the most common cyber-attacks!
In most cases, cyber-attacks are not even targeted. Criminals look for easy ways in, scanning the internet for unprotected systems. If your business is online, it can be found, and if you’re missing basic security measures, it can be breached.
The Cyber Essentials Certification is the UK government’s recommended starting point. It sets out five simple technical controls that help block the most common cyber-attacks. They’re not complex or expensive, but they are essential.
Here we explain how each part of the framework helps your organisation avoid common cyber threats.
If your network isn’t protected by a firewall, anyone online can try to access it. Attackers can scan for weaknesses, find an open door, and get in without you even knowing.
A firewall puts a clear boundary around your systems. It blocks anything suspicious and helps you stay in control of what gets in and out.
Devices and software often come with settings that are designed for ease of use, not safety. That might include open access, enabled features you don’t need, or weak passwords that are easy to guess.
Changing these settings is a quick win. By choosing the most secure options, you close off easy entry points and make your systems harder to exploit.
If staff have access to systems they don’t need, or if old accounts are still active, you’re carrying unnecessary risk. One compromised login could lead to a major breach.
Regularly reviewing access control fixes this. It limits what each user can see or do, so even if an account is compromised, the damage is contained.
A single click on the wrong link can cause serious problems. Malware can lock you out of your systems, steal sensitive information, or spread quietly in the background.
Cyber Essentials ensures you’ve got the right protection in place. That might include antivirus software, safe environments for opening files, or only allowing approved apps to run.
Old software often contains known vulnerabilities. Criminals know exactly how to exploit them, and many attacks start this way. If you’re not installing updates, you’re leaving gaps in your defences.
Applying updates and patches keeps your systems secure. It’s one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect your business.
Matt Bruce, Managing Director of Bruce & Butler: "Cyber Essentials isn’t just a box-ticking exercise. Without it, you’re relying on luck, that attackers won’t target you, that staff won’t make mistakes, and that nothing slips through the cracks. This isn’t a cybersecurity strategy.
Getting Cyber Essentials certified gives you a solid, reliable baseline. It helps protect your systems, shows your clients you take security seriously, and reassures your supply chain that you’re a safe partner to work with."
If you’re not sure where to start with Cyber Essentials, we’re here to guide you through it. We’ll explain what’s needed, help you meet the five key controls, and support you all the way to certification.
We’ve helped hundreds of businesses put these essential protections in place. We keep things straightforward, with no jargon and no unnecessary complications.
If you'd like to talk it through, just get in touch!