Who Needs Cyber Essentials in 2025? Mandatory Requirements for UK Businesses

Recent UK government updates, public sector procurement rules, and supply-chain security expectations mean that organisations across both the public and private sectors are increasingly required to hold Cyber Essentials certification.

For some sectors, Cyber Essentials is now mandatory. For others, it is rapidly becoming a commercial and insurance expectation.

If you’ve been delaying certification, now is the time to act.

Is Cyber Essentials Mandatory?

Cyber Essentials is not yet a legal requirement for all businesses, but it is mandatory for many organisations that:

• Supply services to the UK Government or public sector

• Handle public sector or citizen data

• Work in regulated environments

• Supply services to banks or large enterprises

Below, we explain who now requires Cyber Essentials, and why it matters.

Cyber Essentials for Government Suppliers & Public Sector Contractors

If your organisation supplies services to the UK Government, Cyber Essentials is increasingly compulsory.

Many public sector procurement frameworks — including G-Cloud 15 — now require Cyber Essentials as a minimum entry requirement, with some service lots also requiring Cyber Essentials Plus.

This applies to:

• Cloud service providers

• Software and SaaS vendors

• IT and managed service providers

Why this matters:
Without Cyber Essentials certification, organisations may be unable to bid for government contracts or renew existing public sector agreements.

Cyber Essentials Requirement for Law Firms (Criminal Legal Aid)

From 1 October 2025, law firms delivering Criminal Legal Aid services must hold a valid Cyber Essentials certificate.

This requirement applies at both:

• Contract award

• Contract renewal

Why this matters:
For criminal legal aid providers, Cyber Essentials is now a contractual requirement, not a recommendation.

Cyber Essentials in Supply Chains (Banks & Large Organisations)

Major banks, financial institutions, and large enterprises are now requiring Cyber Essentials across their supply chains.

Even where certification is not legally required, it is increasingly demanded as part of:

• Supplier onboarding

• Procurement security assessments

• Contract renewals

Why this matters:
Cyber Essentials demonstrates baseline cyber resilience and can provide a competitive advantage during procurement and supplier due diligence.

Cyber Essentials for Public Sector Data Processors

If your organisation processes government or citizen data, such as:

• Payroll services

• Benefits administration

• Outsourced public services

…you may be required to maintain Cyber Essentials certification annually.

Why this matters:
Cyber Essentials helps organisations demonstrate compliance with government and NCSC cyber security expectations, often written directly into contracts.

Who Else Should Get Cyber Essentials?

Even where Cyber Essentials is not mandatory, it is strongly recommended for organisations that:

• Use cloud-based systems

• Support remote or hybrid working

• Allow BYOD (Bring Your Own Device)

• Process personal or commercially sensitive data

Certification demonstrates proactive cyber risk management, reduces exposure to common cyber attacks, and may help reduce cyber insurance premiums.

Why Getting Cyber Essentials Now Matters

Cyber Essentials is not a tick-box exercise. It provides a government-backed baseline for protecting your organisation and proving you have taken reasonable steps to manage cyber risk.

As requirements tighten, organisations without Cyber Essentials may face:

• Loss of public sector contract eligibility

• Higher cyber insurance premiums

• Increased exposure to ransomware and phishing attacks

If you need to meet procurement requirements, protect your organisation, or strengthen your cyber resilience, CTS can help you achieve Cyber Essentials quickly and efficiently.

✔️ Aligned with UK Government & NCSC guidance
✔️ Suitable for SMEs and larger organisations
✔️ Clear, supported path to certification

Protect your business. Prove compliance. Reduce cyber risk — before it becomes mandatory for you.