Cyber Essentials Certification

A government-backed certification that protects your business, builds client trust, and is a requirement for supplying to government organisations. Apex guides Manchester businesses through the entire certification process.

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Cyber Essentials Certification that Keeps your Business Protected and Compliant

Cyber Essentials is a government-backed certification designed to help businesses protect themselves from the most common cyber threats and ensure compliance with essential security standards. For businesses in Manchester, achieving certification is not just about security. It's about maintaining trust, compliance, and a competitive edge in an increasingly digital landscape.

Any business wanting to supply to a government organisation from June 2021 needs this accreditation. Beyond government contracts, it demonstrates to your clients, partners, and stakeholders that you take data protection seriously.

Government-backed certification that meets nationally recognised security standards

Required accreditation for businesses supplying to government organisations

Builds trust with clients, partners, and stakeholders

Step-by-step support from Apex from assessment through to certification

No video or image provided

Trusted by Businesses Across All Sectors

and throughout the North West

Why Cyber Essentials Certification matters for your business

It is more than just a badge for your website. It is a fundamental operational standard that drives commercial value.

Proves your commitment to security

Cyber Essentials is a nationally recognised, government-backed certification. It empowers your staff with up-to-date security knowledge and assures your customers that their personal details are secure within your business.

Keeps you compliant

Certification helps your business exceed recommended security standards with an ongoing, recognised accreditation. Our regular monitoring, updates, and training ensure your business stays compliant well into the future.

Protects your data

Cyber Essentials is the foundation of every well-protected business. Achieving certification means your systems are configured to keep critical data secure and out of the hands of cybercriminals.

Opens the door to government contracts

Any business wanting to supply to a government organisation needs this accreditation. Certification removes that barrier and keeps you eligible to tender for public sector work.

What Cyber Essentials Certification Covers

Certification provides a foundational IT health check for your business across five key control areas.

To pass certification, your internet connection must be protected with a firewall that analyses incoming traffic. This level of protection needs to be in place across every device.

Protects your internet connection from unauthorised access
Required across all devices connected to your network
Analyses incoming traffic to block potential threats

Cybercriminals exploit vulnerabilities in software and systems that haven't been updated. Cyber Essentials ensures you are fully up to date with all licensing and software requirements.

Keeps all applications, devices, and operating systems current
Closes the security gaps that outdated software creates
Ensures compliance with software licensing requirements

Certification ensures your business is protected against the numerous ways malware compromises sensitive data, whether through email, webpages, or removable storage.

Protects against malware entering via email, web browsing, and external devices
Restricts malware access across every entry point in your business
Keeps sensitive data out of the hands of cybercriminals

Cyber Essentials requires all computers and network devices to be configured securely, preventing vulnerabilities and reducing the risk of data breaches.

Ensures devices are set up correctly from the outset
Removes unnecessary software and default settings that create risk
Reduces the attack surface across your entire network

No unauthorised entity should be able to reach your sensitive data. Certification ensures your access controls authenticate users correctly before granting access.

Restricts access to sensitive data to authorised users only
Ensures user authentication is in place across your systems
Prevents unauthorised entities from reaching critical business information

Our Cyber Essentials Certification Packages

The entry-level standard. Apex guides you through an internal audit to verify your firewalls, secure configuration, user access control, malware protection, and patch management.

Internal audit completed with help from Apex Computing
Cost includes assessment fee and up to one day of onsite support for the security audit
Significantly larger compliance issues would be quoted for separately

A higher level of assurance involving an external audit by an accredited agency. Apex prepares your infrastructure so you go into the assessment in the strongest possible position.

External audit provided by accredited agency Xyone
Changes required following the audit are completed within the fixed cost
Significantly larger compliance issues would be quoted for separately

Compliance isn't a one-time event. Our managed service keeps your business protected and certification-ready throughout the year.

Fully outsourced cyber security protection from Apex Computing
Yearly renewal of Cyber Essentials included
Regular security audits and reporting

Why Choose Apex for Your Cyber Essentials Certification?

Since 2003, Apex Computing has paired Manchester roots with enterprise-grade delivery. We align strategy, security, and support so technology reliably drives growth. Here are the factors that set us apart.

We Do the Heavy Lifting

We don't just tell you what's wrong; we fix it. As a Managed Service Provider, our engineers can log in and apply the necessary patches or configuration changes for you, saving you hours of frustration.

Bespoke Support

Licensing needs are unique to every business. We don't use cookie-cutter plans. We analyse your specific usage, software environment, and growth goals to tailor a licensing strategy that maximises efficiency and minimises cost.

IT Solutions for All Industries

We provide licensing support across diverse sectors, including Finance, Manufacturing, and Legal. Our broad cross-industry knowledge ensures your software compliance meets the specific regulatory needs of your sector.

Microsoft Solutions Partner

Security is part of our DNA. As a Microsoft Solutions Partner, we ensure your certification aligns with best practices for Microsoft 365 and Azure, creating a cohesive security strategy.

Case Study

Empowering Growth with Cyber Essentials Plus for Roma Finance

Roma Finance needed scalable, secure IT support aligned to their growth plans in the financial sector. Our work included planning and delivering a migration to a Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop environment, implementing security controls, and supporting compliance requirements as part of an ongoing managed support relationship.

Achieved Cyber Essentials Plus certification

Hardened infrastructure against cyber threats

Validated data integrity for stakeholders

Secured competitive edge in finance

Trusted by Businesses Across All Sectors

Join hundreds of satisfied clients who trust Apex Computing to secure their accreditation and protect their reputation.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Apex Winning Award for IT Support - Manchesters MSP

Start your Cyber Essentials Certification with Apex today

Speak to one of our Cyber Essentials experts in Manchester. We'll walk you through the process, explain which package suits your business, and support you every step of the way to certification.