Today, cybersecurity breaches are in the headlines almost daily. Data breaches and cyberattacks are increasingly common, making cybersecurity a priority for organisations of all sizes. Protecting your digital assets is no longer optional – it’s mandatory.
Two key cybersecurity certifications, Cyber Essentials and ISO 27001, are among the most trusted frameworks for protecting sensitive data against online criminals. While both are designed to enhance security, they cater to different needs and levels of complexity.
Understanding the unique purposes and advantages of these certifications is therefore crucial. In this blog post, we’ll explore what they entail, how they differ and which organisations could benefit from each of them.
What is Cyber Essentials?
Cyber Essentials is a UK government-backed certification intended to protect organisations from the most common cybersecurity threats. Introduced in 2014, Cyber Essentials provides a clear framework for the implementation of basic cybersecurity measures and focuses on five basic security controls:
- Firewalls and internet gateways
- Secure configuration
- User access control
- Malware protection
- Security update management
There are two levels of certification: Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus. Organisations must attain Cyber Essentials certification before progressing to Cyber Essentials Plus, which involves an independent technical assessment for greater assurance.
Advantages of Cyber Essentials
- Cost-effectiveness: Ideal for smaller businesses in particular, Cyber Essentials is affordable and offers a straightforward route to robust cybersecurity.
- Quick to achieve: Many organisations can obtain Cyber Essentials certification within a matter of weeks or even days.
- Customer assurance: Cyber Essentials certification signals to customers and other key stakeholders that your business takes cybersecurity seriously.
- Regulatory alignment: Cyber Essentials helps organisations meet basic regulatory requirements, such as GDPR.
Although Cyber Essentials can be beneficial to organisations of all sizes, it is especially useful to small and medium-sized companies and organisations that manage relatively limited quantities of data but still want to mitigate common threats such as phishing attempts and malware. Some 63% of SMEs were targeted by cyberattacks in 2024, while 45% of security breaches affect firms with fewer than 1,000 employees.
Also, Cyber Essentials certification is now a requirement for companies bidding for many UK public sector contracts, including those with the NHS and Ministry of Defence.
Cyber Essentials: the certification process step by step
- Self-assessment questionnaire: Organisations complete a questionnaire covering the five key security controls discussed above: firewalls, secure configuration, user access control, malware protection and security update management. You have up to six months to complete this questionnaire.
- Submission and review: The questionnaire, once completed, is submitted to an accredited certification body for review. This typically takes about three days and, if approved, your organisation will receive Cyber Essentials accreditation.
- Cyber Essentials Plus: Organisations opting for Cyber Essentials Plus will undergo an on-site audit and vulnerability scan, conducted by an external assessor. Depending on the size and complexity of your business, this can take up to six months.
- Certification: Once approved, Cyber Essentials Plus certification is granted and is valid for one year, requiring annual renewal.
What is ISO 27001?
ISO 27001 is an international standard for establishing, implementing, maintaining and continually improving information security management systems (ISMS). In contrast to Cyber Essentials, ISO 27001 takes a risk-based approach, focusing on identifying and mitigating specific security risks unique to an organisation. Certification requires a rigorous external audit.
Advantages of ISO 27001
- Comprehensive security: ISO 27001 covers a wide range of controls, from physical security to access management and business continuity.
- Global recognition: ISO 27001 certification is recognised worldwide, making it essential for organisations operating internationally.
- Customisability: Tailored to an organisation’s specific risks, ISO 27001 offers a higher degree of cybersecurity assurance.
- Long-term strategy: ISO 27001 encourages a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring that cybersecurity measures continue to evolve alongside emerging threats.
ISO 27001 is particularly valuable for larger organisations, those handling sensitive customer data (such as financial institutions or healthcare providers) and businesses aiming to expand globally or partner with multinational corporations.
ISO 27001: the certification process step by step
- Initial review and gap analysis: Organisations conduct an internal review of their existing information security management system (ISMS) and identify any gaps in it. This step can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on the size and complexity of the organisation.
- Implementation: Based on the findings of the gap analysis, policies, procedures and security controls are implemented to align them with ISO 27001 standards. This phase typically takes two to three months, but can take a year or more for larger organisations.
- Internal audit: An internal audit is conducted following the implementation of the improved and updated ISMS. This helps to ensure that the ISMS is effective and ready for certification, addressing any issues prior to the external audit.
- External audit: This is conducted in two stages: an initial documentation review, followed by an in-depth assessment of ISMS implementation. The length of time this takes again varies depending on the size of the organisation; for a smaller firm, it may take only a few days, but for larger businesses it can take several weeks.
- Certification: If successful, the organisation receives ISO 27001 certification, which is valid for three years with annual surveillance audits required. The entire certification process typically takes between six months to a year.
Which certification should I choose?
If you're looking to strengthen your organisation’s cybersecurity, Cyber Essentials and ISO 27001 are both trusted standards. However, Cyber Essentials is often the best choice for businesses looking for a practical, cost-effective, and impactful solution.
Before selecting a certification, consider your organisation’s size, industry, and objectives. Here’s why Cyber Essentials is the preferred option for many:
- Cyber Essentials is ideal for SMEs, startups, and organisations with limited resources that need a straightforward and affordable way to protect themselves against common cyber threats. It’s an excellent first step in building customer trust and demonstrating a commitment to security.
- It provides immediate security improvements by ensuring your organisation implements essential security controls, reducing the risk of cyberattacks.
- Many UK government contracts require Cyber Essentials certification, making it a crucial credential for organisations working in public sector supply chains.
- ISO 27001 is a more complex and resource-intensive certification, better suited for larger organisations or those dealing with highly sensitive data. While it offers comprehensive security management, it requires significant investment in time and resources.
For most organisations, Cyber Essentials is the fastest and most effective way to achieve a recognised cybersecurity standard—helping to protect your business, build trust, and meet basic compliance requirements.
Conclusion
Both Cyber Essentials and ISO 27001 play a vital role in today’s cybersecurity landscape, giving organisations the tools they need to safeguard data and keep it out of the wrong hands. Understanding their respective differences is important, however.
While Cyber Essentials focuses on the basics of cybersecurity, ISO 27001 takes a more comprehensive approach. Knowing the strengths and limitations of each certification can help you make a more informed decision when ensuring that your organisation is well protected against online security dangers.
Need help navigating your cybersecurity journey? Contact the Cyber Tec Security team today to find out more about how we can help your organisation get certified.
