Cyber Essentials & Cyber Essentials Plus (CE & CE+)

Lay the foundations for security, trust and long-term resilience.

In today’s threat landscape, every business is a target, regardless of size, sector or technical maturity.

The Cyber Essentials (CE) scheme is a government-backed certification designed to help organisations strengthen their defences against the most common types of cyber attack.
There are two levels of certification:

Cyber Essentials (CE): A self-assessment with external review
Cyber Essentials Plus (CE+): A more rigorous, independently audited certification with technical testing by a qualified assessor

Whether your goal is to meet supply chain requirements, reassure customers, or take the first step on your cybersecurity journey, CE and CE+ provide a practical, clear framework for reducing risk and demonstrating strong cyber hygiene.

At AJC, we make the Cyber Essentials process smooth and meaningful.

Our experienced consultants:

Simplify the path to certification
Align CE and CE+ with your real-world business priorities
Turn what could feel like a tick-box exercise into genuine security value

How AJC Can Help

We have supported organisations across financial services, logistics, manufacturing, and professional services, helping them achieve CE and CE+ with confidence.

Most CE assessments can be completed within days, and with AJC’s guidance, the process is stress-free and streamlined.

We support clients by:

Scoping and readiness assessments before certification
Supporting self-assessment and reviewing evidence for CE
Preparing for CE+ audits with targeted remediation guidance
Coordinating with certification bodies and managing the process end-to-end
Advising on next steps to help you build internal security capability

of our clients have experienced cyber attacks over the last 10 years.

Why Certify?

PROTECTION AGAINST COMMON THREATS
CUSTOMER & STAKEHOLDER TRUST
REGULATORY ALIGNMENT
INCREASED BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
CYBER INSURANCE ADVANTAGES
INTERNAL AWARENESS & CONFIDENCE

PROTECTION AGAINST COMMON THREATS

Cyber Essentials helps defend your organisation against the majority of day-to-day cyber threats before they cause disruption or loss. By closing off the most common attack routes, you reduce your exposure to incidents that could harm operations and reputation.

Defend against phishing, malware and opportunistic attacks
Block unauthorised access to systems and data
Reduce the likelihood of costly breaches

CUSTOMER & STAKEHOLDER TRUST

Achieving CE or CE+ shows clients, partners and investors that you take security seriously. This visible commitment builds confidence and sets you apart from competitors.

Demonstrate strong cyber hygiene to external audiences
Strengthen customer and partner relationships
Protect brand reputation through proven safeguards

REGULATORY ALIGNMENT

CE supports compliance with GDPR, ISO 27001 and other standards by addressing core security controls regulators expect to see in place.

Build a strong security baseline for wider compliance
Simplify audit preparation and evidence gathering
Demonstrate a proactive approach to data protection

INCREASED BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

Cyber Essentials is often a minimum requirement for public sector contracts and certain supply chains. Certification can open doors to new tenders and partnerships.

Meet eligibility criteria for government contracts
Access supply chains with strict security requirements
Position your organisation as a trusted partner

CYBER INSURANCE ADVANTAGES

Some insurers reward CE-certified organisations with better premiums or coverage, recognising your reduced risk profile.

Lower cyber insurance costs in some cases
Improve claim acceptance rates after an incident
Provide insurers with independent proof of security controls

INTERNAL AWARENESS & CONFIDENCE

The certification process raises security awareness across your workforce, building a culture of shared responsibility.

Encourage better password and access practices
Train staff to spot and avoid phishing attempts
Embed security into everyday working habits

We can assist you in achieving robust digital operational resilience

DOWNLOAD OUR LEAFLET TO FIND OUT MORE

Testimonial

We turned to A Jolly Consulting to assist us with a broad range of compliance challenges we face as an organisation – including FCA, ISO 9001, ISO 27001 and others.

A structured process was suggested, supported by a team of experienced and well-qualified consultants. Their professional guidance and knowledge transfer ensured that we have a clear path through maintaining our current certifications and extending our compliance in areas relevant to our needs.