Protect Your Business, Prove Your Security Credentials

Cyber Essentials is a self-assessment certification, supported by the National Cyber Security Centre, where you answer questions about your security controls. Cyber Essentials Plus includes the same requirements but also an independent audit of your systems for added assurance.

Hamilton Group can advise which option suits your business and handle the process end-to-end, ensuring you’re fully prepared for both the self-assessment and the independent audit.

No, there’s a certification fee set by the Cyber Essentials scheme, plus any consultancy or implementation support you need. However, the cost is relatively low compared to the potential financial and reputational impact of a cyber attack.

Hamilton Group helps you get maximum value from certification by combining it with practical cyber improvements that strengthen your defences long-term.

The cost of Cyber Essentials certification depends on your organisation’s size and whether you choose the basic level or Cyber Essentials Plus. We’ll give you a clear quote upfront so you know exactly what to budget for.

Hamilton Group provides transparent pricing and can bundle certification with wider cyber security support so you avoid hidden costs and delays.

Most organisations can complete the process in 2–4 weeks, depending on their current setup and how many changes are needed to meet the controls. We’ll work with you to set a realistic timeline.

With Hamilton Group, you’ll have a clear roadmap, hands-on support, and minimal disruption to your day-to-day operations.

Yes. Antivirus is just one part of the picture. Cyber Essentials covers five key controls that together protect against a wider range of threats.

Hamilton Group ensures those five controls are in place and working as they should, giving you stronger protection than antivirus alone.

Yes. If you achieve Cyber Essentials certification, it reduces your risk of common cyber threats by up to 80%, reassures clients, and can be a requirement for bidding on public sector contracts. It’s a low-cost, high-impact way to demonstrate your cyber security credentials.

Hamilton Group helps you achieve certification smoothly while also embedding the right cyber practices to strengthen your long-term resilience.

You complete a self-assessment questionnaire about your security controls, which is reviewed by an accredited certification body. For Cyber Essentials Plus, a technical audit is also carried out to verify your setup. We can guide you through every step, prepare your answers, and make sure the controls are in place before you submit.

Hamilton Group will guide you through every step, helping prepare your answers, closing any gaps, and ensuring you’re ready to pass first time.

Going direct means you’re on your own with the self-assessment. We guide you through every step, help you fix any issues, and make sure you’re ready to pass first time so you don’t have the hassle and cost of re-applying.

Hamilton Group combines certification support with wider IT and security expertise, so you don’t just pass the audit, you improve your cyber posture overall.

A Cyber Essentials certificate is valid for 12 months. It needs to be renewed annually to keep your accreditation current and maintain your listing on the official NCSC and IASME databases.

Hamilton Group tracks your renewal dates and manages re-certification for you, so you stay compliant without last-minute stress.

Cyber Essentials certification focuses on five core technical security controls to prevent the most common cyber threats. ISO 27001 is a much broader information security management standard covering policies, processes, and continual improvement. Many businesses start with Cyber Essentials as a practical first step before progressing to ISO 27001.

Hamilton Group can help you map a pathway, from Cyber Essentials through to ISO 27001, so your security strategy grows with your business.