How Much Does Cyber Essentials Cost?
Cyber Essentials certification in the UK typically costs between £300 and £800 for the self-assessed tier and £1,200 to £2,500 for Cyber Essentials Plus, depending on organisation size and whether you need remediation support before the assessment.
Direct Answer
Cyber Essentials self-assessment costs £300–£500 for the certification fee, plus any remediation work to fix gaps before applying. Cyber Essentials Plus costs £1,500–£3,000 including the technical audit. AMVIA includes Cyber Essentials certification support within its managed cybersecurity service at no additional cost for qualifying customers.
What Drives the Cost of Cyber Essentials?
The assessment fee is only one component. The total cost depends on your current IT posture and how much remediation is needed.
Assessment Fee
Set by IASME-accredited certification bodies. The fee is fixed per organisation size band and covers the questionnaire review and certificate issuance.
Remediation Work
If your current systems don't meet the five controls, changes are needed before or during the assessment. Costs vary widely depending on how far your environment is from compliance.
Scope Size
The more devices, users, and services in scope, the more work is involved. Cloud-only organisations often have a simpler path than those with on-premises infrastructure.
Support Model
Doing it alone costs less upfront but risks a failed assessment. Using an MSP like AMVIA for a guided or managed process reduces that risk significantly.
Cyber Essentials vs Cyber Essentials Plus: Cost Comparison
Understanding the cost difference between the two certification tiers helps you budget correctly.
| Feature | Cyber EssentialsSelf-assessed | CE PlusIndependently auditedRecommended |
|---|---|---|
| Assessment fee (up to 50 users) | ~£300–£500 | ~£1,200–£2,500 |
| Technical audit included | ||
| External vulnerability scan included | ||
| Internal device inspection included | ||
| Typical AMVIA managed service | £800–£1,500 | £2,000–£3,500 |
| Required for government contracts | Some | Sensitive data |
| Certificate renewal required | Annually | Annually |
AMVIA's managed CE and CE+ service includes gap assessment, remediation, and the certification audit at a fixed price. Most clients certify within four weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. IASME sets assessment fees in bands based on the number of employees. Micro-organisations typically pay around £300 for the self-assessment, whilst larger organisations pay more. Remediation costs also scale with complexity — more devices and cloud services mean more configuration work. Cyber Essentials certified organisations are 92% less likely to claim on cyber insurance (IASME), so the total investment frequently pays for itself through lower premiums alone.
Absolutely. Organisations that audit their own firewalls, remove unsupported software, and enforce MFA before engaging a certification body spend significantly less on remediation. The average cost of the most disruptive breach is £3,550 (DSIT 2025), which dwarfs even the higher end of Cyber Essentials Plus fees. Investing time in preparation reduces both the certification cost and your exposure to a costly incident.
For organisations handling sensitive client data or bidding on government contracts, Plus is often essential. The additional cost covers hands-on vulnerability scanning and device inspection by an independent assessor, providing genuine assurance rather than a self-declaration. Businesses in regulated sectors or supply chains serving enterprise clients typically find the extra spend justified by the contract opportunities it unlocks.
Get a Fixed-Price Cyber Essentials Quote
AMVIA will assess your current posture, identify gaps, and give you a fixed price for achieving certification — whether you need CE or CE Plus.
Related Guides
Cyber Essentials Certification
AMVIA's managed Cyber Essentials service — gap assessment, remediation, and certification at a fixed price.
Cyber Essentials vs Cyber Essentials Plus
Which tier is right for your organisation and what each certification requires.
What Is Cyber Essentials?
The UK government's baseline cybersecurity certification scheme explained.
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