Scheme details
Area: Newcastle upon Tyne, Sunderland, County Durham, Gateshead, South Tyneside, North Tyneside, Northumberland
Categories: Business support
Page last updated: 20 February 2026
No business is out of reach from cyber criminals.
Protect your business from online threats with Cyber Essentials certification
What is Cyber Essentials?
Cyber Essentials is the minimum standard of cyber security recommended by the Government for organisations of all sizes.
Developed by the experts at the NCSC, the certification scheme is aligned to five technical controls designed to prevent the most common internet based cyber security threats.
Why Cyber Essentials?
Cyber criminals can find your business anywhere. No matter your business’ size or location, cyber attacks are no longer a question of 'if' but 'when’.
The good news is that most cyber-attacks are basic in nature - the digital equivalent of a thief trying your front door to see if it’s unlocked.
Cyber Essentials helps ensure your door is locked shut, keeping your digital assets and data safe.
- Get peace of mind that your organisation is protected against the most common online threats
- A growing number of organisations require suppliers to be certified to bid for work
- Build customer trust and show you take cyber security seriously
How does it work?
When you are ready to certify, there are two routes you can take:
Self-led: Register for certification via IASME, make the payment, then complete the verified self-assessment. Your answers will be signed-off by a board member or equivalent and then marked by an assessor.
Supported: Hire a Certification Body - licensed by IASME to assess if you have met the requirements - to help you understand the assessment questions and how they relate to your company.