Cyber Essentials – What it actually means for your business

Written by on 30 December 2025.

Cyber Essentials feeling a bit like one of those things you should understand… but don’t quite want to Google at 11pm?

You’re not alone. Many SMEs hear it mentioned in tenders, supplier checks, or insurance forms, without a clear idea of what it actually involves or whether it’s worth the effort.

In this article, we break down Cyber Essentials in plain English, covering things like:

✅ What Cyber Essentials actually protects
✅ Why more businesses are being asked for it
✅ How it helps reduce everyday cyber risks (without turning IT into a second job)

No scare tactics. No jargon. Just a practical guide to deciding whether Cyber Essentials makes sense for your business.