GRC & Compliance
Cyber Essentials certification support
Cyber Essentials is a UK government-backed scheme that certifies a company has the five core technical controls that stop the most common attacks. It is often the first certification a company pursues, because it is achievable quickly and is increasingly required to win public-sector and larger private contracts.
Heelr connects you with professionals who prepare companies for Cyber Essentials and its more rigorous version, Cyber Essentials Plus. They help you meet the controls, complete the assessment, and pass the verification where it applies. Every provider is identity-verified with validated certifications, and you agree scope and price before work begins.
What Cyber Essentials involves
Cyber Essentials covers five technical control areas: firewalls, secure configuration, access control, malware protection, and security update management. Basic Cyber Essentials is a self-assessment verified by a certification body. Cyber Essentials Plus adds a hands-on technical audit, where an assessor checks that the controls are genuinely in place rather than only declared.
Common questions
How long does Cyber Essentials take?
Basic Cyber Essentials can often be completed in a few weeks, sometimes less if your controls are already in good shape. Cyber Essentials Plus takes longer because of the technical verification step.
What is the difference between Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus?
Basic Cyber Essentials is a verified self-assessment. Cyber Essentials Plus adds an independent technical audit that confirms the controls are actually working. Some contracts specifically require Plus.
Do we need Cyber Essentials or ISO 27001?
Cyber Essentials is the faster, lighter UK baseline and is often the first step. ISO 27001 is far more comprehensive and carries more weight with larger and international buyers. Many companies achieve Cyber Essentials first and pursue ISO 27001 later. See ISO 27001.
Is Cyber Essentials enough on its own?
For many smaller UK companies winning their first contracts, yes, for now. As you grow or sell internationally, buyers often ask for more. It is a strong and cost-effective starting point rather than a final destination.