Your guide to Cyber Essentials
Posted on 9 September 2026 by Rachael WhiteCyber Essentials provides a practical framework for protecting your business against common cyber attacks. It can also help you demonstrate good security practices to customers, suppliers and other organisations.
This guide explains what Cyber Essentials covers, how to prepare and where Beaming can support your business with the technology, checks and practical improvements involved.
Continue reading to understand the requirements
What is Cyber Essentials?
Cyber Essentials is the UK Government recommended minimum cyber security standard and is built around five technical controls.
| 1 | Firewalls | Control connections between your network and the internet |
| 2 | Secure configuration | Set up devices and software securely |
| 3 | Security update management | Keep operating systems, applications and firmware updated |
| 4 | User access control | Give people only the access they need |
| 5 | Malware protection | Prevent and detect malicious software |
These are the five controls defined by the National Cyber Security Centre.
Which certification does your business need?
For a more detailed comparison – read our article Compare Cyber Essentials, Cyber Essentials Plus and ISO 27001
What should you check before applying for Cyber Essentials?
Follow this quick checklist or find links to further advice below:
- Do you have an accurate record of your devices, software and cloud services?
- Are operating systems, applications, routers and firewalls supported and updated?
- Is multi factor authentication enabled for cloud services where it is available?
- Are administrator accounts kept separate from everyday user accounts?
- Do employees only have access to the systems they need?
- Are firewall, router and remote access settings regularly reviewed?
- Is malware protection installed and managed where required?
- Can you explain what is included within the scope of your certification?
Tools that make Cyber Essentials easier to manage
Manage business devices
Microsoft Intune can help you enroll, configure, update and monitor business devices from one platform.
Protect the network boundary
Supported routers and properly configured firewalls help control how devices communicate with the internet.
Strengthen access security
Multi-factor authentication, individual user accounts and carefully controlled administrator access support the user access control requirements for Cyber Essentials.
Protect Endpoints
The devices we use everyday such as laptops and smartphones are the primary gateways attackers use to breach your network, this is where an endpoint protection tool can be invaluable.
How Beaming can support your preparation
Beaming can help you understand your current IT, connectivity and security environment, identify gaps and put practical improvements in place. When you begin the application, you will work directly with your chosen certification body. We can help you answer technical questions relating to the services and infrastructure we manage.
How we help
- Understand your environment
Review devices, software, cloud services, connectivity and network equipment. - Identify gaps
Check where existing controls or working practices may not meet the requirements. - Make practical improvements
Help configure, update or introduce suitable technology and security controls. - Support technical answers
Provide guidance on the IT, connectivity and infrastructure sections of the application.
For more information read: How Beaming can help you achieve Cyber Essentials
Why trust Beaming?
Not sure whether your business is ready for Cyber Essentials certification?
You may already have many of the right controls in place, but applying for Cyber Essentials can uncover devices, accounts or settings that need attention. Beaming can help you understand what is required and make practical improvements before you apply.
Talk to us about Cyber Essentials. Call 0800 082 2868, email hello@beaming.co.uk or complete this form.