Both the Government and the Information Assurance for Small and Medium Enterprises (IASME) released Cyber Essentials reports recently. The conclusions highlighted the scheme's many positive effects on strengthening cyber resilience across the UK.
Here is what companies like yours are seeing as a result of being Cyber Essentials Certified:
69% of Certified companies believe they are seeing a much higher rate of market competitiveness.
92% of Organisations with Cyber Essentials are less likely to make a claim on cyber insurance than organisations without Cyber Essentials (insurer's data).
80% of users have seen a reduction in cybersecurity incidents, according to the IASME.
86% say certification has improved senior management's cybersecurity risk understanding, leading to proactive engagement at top levels of business.
As a result, 76% of companies are taking additional steps to improve business resilience.
82% of Cyber Essentials users are confident that CE technical controls increase their cyber resilience against common threats.
As a result, 45% of Cyber Essentials users incorporate their certification into supply chain risk management.
61% of Cyber Essentials users are now more likely to choose suppliers with equal certification.
Recently, we wrote a blog called "Are you leaving your business IT open to criminals?" in which we talked about how a cyber breach could lead to internal challenges such as compromised data, loss of business, extended downtime, reputation damage and more. The truth is that this is only one side of the problems you may face as a result of a breach.
There are external challenges, such as vendor or supplier security, or even problems with data coming in from breached external sources. And with this comes a broader conversation about how you set a bar for compliance, both internally and with suppliers and vendors who help you deliver products or services while using client or company data to do so.
St James's Place (SJP) is one of the UK's largest pensions and life companies, managing over £170 billion of client funds through its partnership network of 2,800 businesses. In 2016, they became the first business of its kind to certify its central business and then later its partnership network in Cyber Essential Plus (CE+). They now use CE+ as part of their minimum compliance standards for any new business that wishes to work with them.
At Westway IT, we believe that you will see more of your competitors, vendors and suppliers (regardless of industry) taking the same approach and raising their cybersecurity standards throughout the supply chain. By certifying your business now, you can build on your business rather than feeling left behind.
In 2023/24, an incredible 31,000 businesses embraced the scheme.
Will you be one of us in 2025/26?
If you are a Gloucestershire-based business, contact John today at Westway IT. We are here to help you with the Annual certification of the Cyber Essentials Standard or Plus with continuous compliance monitoring.
Managing Director, Westway IT
John is the founder of Westway IT and works directly with small businesses across Gloucestershire to keep their IT secure, productive and stress-free.
With a BSc in Computer Science and hands-on experience supporting businesses from 1 to 40 users, he specialises in cyber security, Microsoft 365 and business automation.
An award-winning MSP owner and active member of the global IT community (including GTIA), John focuses on solving real business problems, not just technical ones.
Published: 30 September 2025 | Last Updated: 30 September 2025
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