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Protecting your business doesn’t have to be complicated.

Cyber Essentials is a UK government-backed certification that helps organisations protect themselves from the most common cyber threats. But too often, businesses delay or avoid it altogether—either because they don’t understand it or they fear it’ll be expensive or time-consuming.

We’re here to tell you: it doesn’t have to be.

Why Cyber Essentials Matters

The cyber threat landscape continues to grow. Every day, small and medium-sized businesses are targeted by phishing emails, malware, and opportunistic attackers looking for easy wins.

Cyber Essentials is your first line of defence. By meeting its five core controls, you dramatically reduce your risk of a breach:

  1. Secure internet connections (firewalls & routers)

  2. Secure devices and software (configuration)

  3. Access control (only those who need access, get access)

  4. Malware protection

  5. Patch management (keeping software up to date)

It’s Not Just a Badge — It’s Peace of Mind

Certification doesn’t just prove your business takes security seriously. It’s increasingly being demanded by:

  • Clients, especially in finance, legal, education and healthcare

  • Public sector tenders (Cyber Essentials is often mandatory)

  • Cyber insurers, who may offer discounts for certified organisations

Plus, in the event of a cyber incident, having Cyber Essentials in place shows you’ve taken responsible, government-aligned precautions.

How We Make It Easy

At PAAC IT, we’ve helped dozens of clients get certified—and stay certified.
We simplify the entire process:

  • Initial audit: we review your current setup and highlight what needs to change.

  • Hands-on fixes: from device configuration to patching plans, we can do the heavy lifting.

  • Self-assessment support: we help you answer the Cyber Essentials questionnaire correctly.

  • Annual re-certification reminders: so you stay compliant year after year.

We even offer Cyber Essentials PLUS, which includes an external technical audit to prove the protections are working in practice.

Real-World Impact

One client in the hospitality sector passed Cyber Essentials within two weeks of starting the process with us. Their insurance premium dropped by 15%, and their leadership team now has a clearer view of their organisation’s risks.

Another legal firm told us: “We thought Cyber Essentials would be a nightmare. PAAC made it easy.”

Want to Get Started?

We offer a free scoping call to assess if you're ready—and what would need to change. Most businesses can reach compliance with only minor tweaks.

Cyber Essentials isn’t just about ticking a box. It’s about protecting your reputation, your data, and your customers.

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Richard Paterson
Post by Richard Paterson
Aug 8, 2025 10:44:01 AM

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