Cyber Essentials in 2025: Still Relevant or Time for an Upgrade?

Thomas Dold l 8th October 2025

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As the UK’s cybersecurity landscape evolves, many organisations are asking: Is Cyber Essentials still enough? Introduced in 2014, the Cyber Essentials scheme has helped thousands of UK businesses establish a baseline of cybersecurity hygiene. However, with new legislation on the horizon, such as the upcoming UK Cyber Security and Resilience Bill and increasing supply chain threats, it's time to reassess its role.

What Is Cyber Essentials?

Cyber Essentials is a government-backed certification that helps organisations protect against common cyber threats. It focuses on five key controls:

• Firewalls

• Secure configuration

• User access control

• Malware protection

• Patch management

It’s simple, affordable, and especially popular among SMEs and public sector suppliers and is becoming a growing requirement year on year.

Cyber Essentials in the New Regulatory Landscape

In 2025, the UK is preparing to introduce the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill, which will expand regulatory oversight to include:

• Managed Service Providers (MSPs)

• Data centres

• Critical supply chain actors

While Cyber Essentials remains a useful starting point, it doesn’t fully address the risk management, incident response, or governance requirements that newer regulations demand. Businesses may need to look toward more robust frameworks, such as ISO 27001, NIST CSF, or Cyber Essentials Plus, to meet compliance expectations.

Supply Chain Security: A Growing Priority

One of the most significant shifts in UK cyber policy is the emphasis on supply chain resilience. Cyber Essentials helps ensure that suppliers meet basic security standards, but it doesn’t provide visibility into:

• Third-party risk assessments

• Data handling practices

• Incident reporting protocols

As supply chain attacks become more sophisticated, organisations will need to go beyond checkbox compliance and adopt continuous monitoring and vendor risk management strategies.

Why SMEs Should Care

SMEs are often seen as soft targets by cybercriminals. Cyber Essentials offers a cost-effective way to:

• Demonstrate commitment to security

• Win public sector contracts

• Build trust with partners

However, SMEs should also consider:

• Upgrading to ISO27001

• Investing in staff training

• Exploring insurance and incident response planning and exercises

Final Thoughts: Evolve, Don’t Abandon

Cyber Essentials is still relevant, but it’s no longer sufficient on its own. Think of it as a foundation, not a finish line. As threats evolve and regulations tighten, UK organisations must build on that foundation with more advanced controls, better governance, and a proactive security culture.

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