How to get 75% off your first Cyber Essentials certificate
On 3 November 2026 the government launched the Cyber Essentials First Step Fund. Eligible businesses pay from £80 + VAT instead of £320.
The First Step Fund at a glance
- What you get: 75% off the cost of a new Cyber Essentials certificate.
- What you pay: between £80 and £125 + VAT, depending on the size of your business.
- Who qualifies: UK micro, small and medium-sized businesses that haven't held Cyber Essentials in the past four years.
- How long: until March 2027, or until the £2.4 million fund runs out. It's first come, first served, and the government expects it to help around 6,000 businesses.
Don't wait. At around 6,000 places across the whole UK, the fund could run out before March 2027.
How to apply
- Check you haven't held Cyber Essentials in the last four years.
- Choose an accredited certification body. They take you through the process, and the discount is applied as part of it.
- Prepare for the questionnaire. Our guide to the April 2026 changes covers the things most likely to trip you up.
Not sure where to start? Tell us about your business and tick "help with funding" — we'll introduce you to certification bodies that can help.
The other scheme: Cyber Essentials for Suppliers
A separate grant, worth up to £7 million until March 2029, pays the full cost of first-time certification plus Cyber Advisor support for some small suppliers. You can't apply directly: you're nominated by a large customer that has signed the government's Cyber Resilience Pledge, and they'll contact you.
Sources: GOV.UK: Cyber Essentials funding package; GOV.UK press release, 3 November 2026. Eligibility rules are set by the government and IASME and may change.
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