In today's business environment, demonstrating a commitment to cyber security is a commercial imperative, not just a technical one. The Cyber Essentials Plus certification, a UK government-backed scheme, offers verifiable proof that your organisation has implemented critical controls to defend against common cyber threats. Unlike the basic self-assessed version, the 'Plus' standard involves a hands-on technical audit by an independent assessor, making it a gold standard for supply chain assurance and a frequent requirement for public sector contracts.

This guide provides a practical breakdown of the most reputable and effective providers for achieving this certification. We will explore key players in the UK ecosystem—from official scheme administrators to integrated IT partners—to help you choose the right path based on your organisation's needs, budget, and technical maturity.

1. ZachSys IT Solutions

ZachSys IT Solutions operates as a security-first IT partner for organisations pursuing Cyber Essentials Plus. This approach is ideal for businesses that view certification not as a one-off task, but as a component of a broader security strategy. ZachSys integrates the required controls within your core IT infrastructure, spanning cloud environments like Azure and AWS to physical networking and enterprise Wi-Fi. This makes them a strong choice for companies seeking a single, accountable provider to manage both the certification process and the underlying technical implementation.

Their expertise as a Microsoft Solutions Partner is a key differentiator, particularly for organisations leveraging Microsoft 365 and Azure. ZachSys applies this specialisation to implement Zero Trust security principles and advanced security services, ensuring your setup not only meets but exceeds the requirements for Cyber Essentials Plus certification. The engagement typically begins with a no-obligation consultation to scope your needs, followed by a tailored plan. This consultative approach, combined with a proven track record across numerous projects, provides assurance of a practical, business-focused outcome.

• Best for: Small to mid-sized businesses, multi-site organisations, and those in regulated sectors needing end-to-end security and IT management.
• Key Strengths: Deep expertise in Microsoft security, full-stack service from cloud to physical hardware, and a clear, consultative onboarding process.
• Pricing: Customised based on project scope after an initial consultation.
• Website: zachsys.com

2. IASME

As the sole partner appointed by the UK's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to administer the scheme, IASME is the definitive starting point for any organisation. Their platform is the primary portal for purchasing the initial Cyber Essentials self-assessment and accessing the official requirements and question sets. It serves as the authoritative source for the scheme's rules and structure.

While you cannot purchase the Cyber Essentials Plus certification audit directly from IASME, their platform is the mandatory first step. After completing the basic self-assessment, IASME directs you to its network of licensed Certification Bodies—independent organisations accredited to perform the hands-on technical audit. This model ensures consistent, high-quality assessment standards are maintained across the UK.

Key Features and Advice

• Official Guidance: Always consult the IASME site for the most current scheme requirements, as these are updated periodically to reflect the evolving threat landscape.
• Transparent Pricing: The cost for the basic self-assessment is clearly defined based on your organisation's size, removing ambiguity at the initial stage.
• Preparation Portal: Use their free resources and published assessment questions to prepare thoroughly before beginning the formal process. You can learn more about what is involved in a Cyber Essentials Plus audit to better understand the technical scope.

3. NCSC (UK National Cyber Security Centre)

As the UK Government’s authoritative body on cyber security, the NCSC website is the definitive resource for understanding the strategic importance of the Cyber Essentials scheme. It provides the official overview, explaining the business benefits and its role in public sector procurement. This makes it an essential resource for IT leaders justifying the investment in certification to non-technical stakeholders.

The NCSC site is purely informational; it does not sell certifications. Instead, it provides crucial context and policy notes, directing users to its official partner, IASME, to begin the assessment process. The site’s primary role is to establish the 'why' behind the Cyber Essentials Plus certification, linking it directly to national security standards and supply chain resilience, which is invaluable for securing stakeholder buy-in.

Key Features and Advice

• Authoritative Context: Use the NCSC's guidance to understand how certification aligns with government expectations, especially if you bid for public sector contracts.
• Readiness Guidance: The site offers free, high-level guidance and best-practice advice to help organisations improve their cyber defences before formal assessment.
• Policy Links: It provides direct links to relevant policy documents and official scheme requirements, ensuring your understanding is based on the ultimate source of truth. You can also learn more about the Cyber Essentials certification to build a foundational understanding.

4. IT Governance

IT Governance is an established UK certification body that provides a streamlined, e-commerce experience for purchasing certification packages. Their online shop offers clear, click-to-buy options for both Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus, often bundled with various levels of support. This straightforward, retail-style approach simplifies the procurement process for organisations that know what they need.

The platform excels at providing comprehensive product pages detailing pricing, inclusions, lead times, and customer reviews. Beyond just the certification, IT Governance acts as a one-stop shop, offering a wide catalogue of supplementary toolkits, documentation templates, and consultancy services. This integrated offering is ideal for businesses looking for end-to-end support, from initial preparation right through to final audit and ongoing compliance management.

Key Features and Advice

• Tiered Packages: Choose a package that matches your needs, from basic certification to bundles that include pre-audit support, toolkits, or guaranteed pass options.
• Transparent Add-Ons: The costs for additional services like retests, extra device scans, or extended support are clearly listed, helping you manage your budget effectively.
• End-to-End Resources: Leverage their extensive library of toolkits and consultancy to ensure your internal policies are robust. Effective IT governance also involves managing data protection and third-party risks, as highlighted in a comprehensive guide to data processing agreements and secure vendor onboarding.

5. Bulletproof

As an accredited Certification Body, Bulletproof offers a packaged approach to achieving Cyber Essentials Plus certification. Their website stands out by bundling the audit with readiness tools designed to streamline preparation. This model is well-suited for organisations that prefer a clear, fixed-price structure that includes practical support—such as vulnerability scanning, security awareness training, and phishing simulations—minimising the need to source these tools separately.

Bulletproof’s tiered packages provide transparent pricing that often includes the IASME certification fee, remote support hours, and allowances for retests. This all-in-one model simplifies budgeting and reduces the internal workload required to pass the audit. While their standard packages cover typical environments, organisations with complex or non-standard IT infrastructure may need a bespoke quote to ensure the scope is accurately covered.

Key Features and Advice

• All-in-One Packages: Consider their tiered packages if you need bundled readiness tools like training or scanning alongside your Cyber Essentials Plus certification.
• Transparent Costs: The published fixed prices are useful for straightforward budgeting, but it's wise to confirm your environment fits their standard scope to avoid unexpected costs.
• Bundled Support: Take advantage of the included support hours for guidance during remediation, a valuable component compared to standalone cyber security assessments.

6. IntaForensics

IntaForensics provides a direct e-commerce experience for organisations seeking certification. Their website features a straightforward webshop where you can purchase both Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus packages directly. This approach demystifies the initial procurement process, offering clear, upfront pricing based on organisation size and desired support levels.

The platform stands out by bundling the audit with various support SKUs, such as pre-audit Q&A sessions with an assessor. This allows businesses to choose a package that matches their internal expertise and confidence levels. For those who want to ensure they are fully prepared before the formal audit begins, these combined offerings provide an efficient route to achieving Cyber Essentials Plus certification with minimal friction.

Key Features and Advice

• Direct Online Purchase: The ability to immediately buy a CE+ package online simplifies budgeting and initiation, making it ideal for organisations that prefer a self-service model.
• Bundled Support Options: Consider purchasing a package that includes assessor support hours. This can be invaluable for clarifying technical controls and reducing the risk of failure and rework.
• Clear Scope Definition: While the webshop is simple, always double-check that the package covers your specific organisational structure, especially if you have complex or multi-site network environments.

7. CyberSmart

CyberSmart provides a subscription-based platform designed to simplify compliance for SMEs. It combines guided software workflows with endpoint controls to prepare organisations for certification. This approach bundles the cost of the IASME assessment into a predictable annual fee, making it an attractive option for businesses looking for an all-in-one solution that includes both preparation tooling and the certification itself.

The platform offers a streamlined route to achieving the basic Cyber Essentials certification, with some plans promising a 24-hour turnaround. For the more intensive Cyber Essentials Plus certification, CyberSmart's software helps ensure your devices and systems meet the technical requirements before the audit is scheduled. This software-assisted readiness check aims to minimise the risk of failure and reduce the manual effort involved in preparing for the hands-on assessment.

Key Features and Advice

• All-in-One Subscription: This model is ideal for SMEs wanting predictable budgeting, as it bundles tooling, ongoing monitoring, and the IASME certification fee into one plan.
• Software-Assisted Readiness: Use the platform’s dashboard and device applications to automatically check for compliance issues, significantly speeding up your preparation phase.
• Understand the Scope: While the platform assists with readiness, the final CE+ audit is still a manual process conducted by an assessor. Ensure you understand that assessor scheduling will influence the final timeline.

Cyber Essentials Plus: 7-Provider Comparison

Provider	Implementation complexity	Resource requirements	Expected outcomes	Ideal use cases	Key advantages
ZachSys IT Solutions	Medium — end-to-end, multi-discipline projects	Moderate–High — consultancy fees, on-site delivery, hardware/software procurement	Modernised, secure infrastructure with managed support, Zero Trust and Data & AI enablement	Small–mid enterprises, multi‑site or regulated orgs needing full-stack delivery	Security-first Microsoft partner, one‑stop shop (cloud + physical infra + resale)
IASME	Low for self‑assessment, Medium for CE+ (requires cert body)	Low–Moderate — purchase self‑assessment; CE+ requires Certification Body quotes	Official Cyber Essentials certification pathway and published scheme rules	Organisations seeking official scheme purchase, guidance and baseline pricing	Authoritative scheme administrator, transparent self‑assessment pricing
NCSC (UK)	Low — informational and guidance only	Minimal — time to review guidance and policies	Authoritative guidance, policy alignment and readiness resources	Public‑sector bidders, IT leaders needing policy justification	Highest‑trust source for CE/CE+ guidance and public‑sector requirements
IT Governance	Low–Medium — click‑to-buy with optional extras	Moderate — clear package prices, add‑ons for extra devices or toolkits	CE/CE+ certification with toolkits, lead times and customer support options	Buyers wanting clear pricing, retail bundles and consultancy add‑ons	Transparent product pages, one‑stop purchase and support tiers
Bulletproof	Low–Medium — packaged CE+ with readiness bundles	Moderate — fixed package prices, included remote support and tools	CE/CE+ certification with bundled training, scanning and retests	SMEs wanting predictable packages with practical prep included	Fixed pricing for standard scopes, practical readiness inclusions
IntaForensics	Low — straightforward e‑commerce purchase	Low–Moderate — published pricing, optional assessor support SKUs	Immediate purchase route to CE/CE+ with clear inclusions	Organisations wanting to buy CE/CE+ online quickly	Clear published pricing, ability to buy CE+ directly via webshop
CyberSmart	Medium — subscription + guided tooling and workflows	Ongoing — annual subscription, endpoint tooling and admin time	Continuous compliance tooling, guided CE/CE+ path and ongoing protection	SMEs seeking predictable subscription and continuous security posture	Bundles certification into subscription, software‑assisted readiness and maintenance

Choosing Your Path to a More Secure Future

Embarking on the journey to Cyber Essentials Plus certification is a strategic investment in your organisation's resilience and reputation, not merely a compliance task. The key is to select a path that aligns with your business objectives. From the foundational guidance of the NCSC and the official framework of IASME to the diverse services offered by Certification Bodies and platform providers, the ecosystem offers a route for every type of organisation.

Achieving this standard is not about passing a one-time audit; it is about embedding a sustainable culture of security into your daily operations. While a direct Certification Body may be sufficient for a straightforward audit, organisations often find greater long-term value in partnering with strategic IT experts. This integrated approach ensures technical controls are not only compliant but are optimised for your unique operational environment, turning a security requirement into a durable business advantage. Ultimately, the Cyber Essentials Plus certification represents a powerful commitment to protecting your data, your customers, and your future growth.

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Ready to transform your security posture from a compliance checkbox into a strategic asset? Building a secure and resilient IT foundation makes achieving Cyber Essentials Plus certification a natural outcome of a robust security framework. Organisations often rely on structured IT support to navigate this journey and build sustainable cyber resilience. Contact us today to start a conversation.