What Is a Cyber Essentials Certification Body?
A Cyber Essentials Certification Body is an accredited organisation that has been officially approved to assess, support and certify businesses against the UK Government-backed Cyber Essentials scheme. This certification is designed to help businesses of all sizes protect themselves from the most common and disruptive forms of cyberattacks.
At The Unite Group, we’re proud to act as an in-house certification body, helping businesses across the UK gain Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus certifications quickly, confidently, and with ongoing support.
Why Cyber Essentials Matters
Cyber Essentials is not just a piece of paper; it’s a formal recognition that your business takes cyber security seriously. Certification means you’ve implemented key security controls to safeguard your organisation from 80% of common cyber threats, and therefore, you benefit from protections such as:
- Malware
- Ransomware
- Phishing attacks
- Data breaches
Therefore, achieving certification also unlocks new opportunities for your business. Many government and MOD contracts now require certification as a minimum. It’s not just about security – it’s about staying competitive.
The Unite Group as a Certification Body
What sets The Unite Group apart is that we are not just consultants. As an official Cyber Essentials Certification Body, we offer:
- In-house assessors to guide you through every step
- Pre-assessment audits and gap analysis
- Hands-on support to implement required changes
- Straightforward certification process with minimal disruption
Since we offer IT support and cyber security under one roof, our clients don’t need to juggle multiple providers. As a result, IT management is simplified, and stress is significantly reduced. We’re your one-stop-shop for compliance, protection and peace of mind.
Real Businesses, Real Results
Furthermore, we’ve recently helped several companies achieve their Cyber Essentials certifications. Consequently, they have strengthened their cyber security posture, including:
Preferred Management
Preferred Management turned to The Unite Group to renew their Cyber Essentials certification. With our help, they were able to demonstrate a strong cyber posture, reassuring their own clients that their data and systems are safe.
MRM Solutions
MRM Solutions needed a straightforward, guided route to compliance. Our assessors conducted a full review, supported remediation steps and successfully issued their renewed certificate, all without interrupting daily operations.
Sapphire HR
As a growing HR firm handling sensitive employee data, Sapphire HR needed to reinforce their cyber security. Our in-house team walked them through the Cyber Essentials framework and secured their renewed certification. Boosting client confidence and reinforcing their professional standards.
These stories highlight the real-world impact of choosing the right certification body: a smooth process, minimal downtime, and total support.
Cyber Essentials vs Cyber Essentials Plus
Many businesses start with the basic Cyber Essentials certification, which is a self-assessment verified by our team. For higher-risk organisations or those handling sensitive data, Cyber Essentials Plus offers a more in-depth review, and as a result, it includes:
- Internal vulnerability scans
- External penetration testing
- Hands-on verification by an assessor
Both levels are available through The Unite Group. Whether you’re just starting with the scheme or moving up to Cyber Essentials Plus, we provide practical advice and technical assistance. In addition, we support you at every stage to ensure a smooth experience.
The Certification Process: What to Expect
- Initial Consultation
We assess your readiness and determine which level of certification is best suited to your business.
- Gap Analysis
Our team identifies any weaknesses or missing controls to address before assessment.
- Remediation Support
If any improvements are needed, we proactively implement the necessary technical fixes to ensure your systems meet certification standards.
- Formal Assessment
We review your policies, controls, and technical setup against the Cyber Essentials framework.
- Certification
Once approved, your certificate is issued and your business listed on the official NCSC directory.
Why Choose Unite?
When you work with The Unite Group, not only are you getting a Cyber Essentials Certification Body, but also a reliable partner. Moreover, we understand that cyber security can feel overwhelming, especially for small and medium businesses. Therefore, our approach is designed to make the process straightforward and supportive:
- Human – No bots, no jargon. You deal with real experts.
- Helpful – We work with your team, not just assess them.
- Holistic – As IT support specialists, we look at your infrastructure as a whole.
Ready to Get Certified?
Whether your business needs Cyber Essentials certification or is considering an upgrade to Cyber Essentials Plus, The Unite Group can make the process fast, clear, and stress-free. Furthermore, we provide guidance at every step to ensure a seamless experience.
- Trusted Cyber Essentials Certification Body
- Hands-on Technical Support
- Proven Track Record With UK Businesses
- Friendly Experts You Can Rely On
Start Your Journey Today
Protect your business. Build client trust. Open up new opportunities.
Explore our Cyber Essentials service, or contact us today to book a free discovery call.