Eligible organisations can reduce the cost of Cyber Essentials certification through government funding and access practical preparation support from Samaryam Tech. The discount applies to assessment and certification fees, with any additional support agreed separately.
What does the new Cyber Essentials funding offer?
The government has introduced funding to help more smaller organisations achieve Cyber Essentials. For businesses that have been considering certification, it creates an opportunity to move forward at a lower cost.
The Cyber Essentials First Step Fund provides eligible UK micro, small and medium-sized businesses with a 75% reduction in assessment and certification fees. The government advertises discounted fees of £80–£125 plus VAT, depending on business size.
At Samaryam Tech, we are helping organisations understand the funding routes and prepare for assessment. We can work with your team and IT provider to turn the requirements into practical actions. Let's dive into what this means for your business and also how we can help you take advantage of this discount.
Who can apply for the 75% discount?
The First Step Fund is aimed at eligible UK micro, small and medium-sized businesses that have not held Cyber Essentials certification in the previous 4 years.
Applications are handled through IASME, the government's Cyber Essentials delivery partner. The discount can also apply when certifying through a Certification Body. Eligibility and availability are confirmed through the scheme's application process. This can all be managed by Samaryam tech so that you are able to take advantage.
Funding is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis until the end of March 2027, or until the allocation is exhausted. If you are considering applying, allow time to review the requirements and complete any improvements your organisation needs.
What will Cyber Essentials help your organisation improve?
Cyber Essentials gives organisations a structured way to address common security weaknesses across five technical areas.
- Firewalls: controlling traffic between your systems and the internet.
- Secure configuration: setting up devices and services securely.
- Security updates: addressing weaknesses in software and systems.
- User access control: managing who can access systems and what they can do.
- Malware protection: protecting against malicious software.
Preparing for assessment helps establish what is in place, where improvements are needed and who will maintain those protections as your organisation changes.
How can Samaryam Tech support your preparation?
For many smaller organisations, the challenge is understanding what the requirements mean for their own systems and working out what their IT provider already covers. We offer practical preparation support to help you move forward with a clear plan.
Depending on your needs, we can help you with the following.
- Understand the requirements in plain English and establish the systems and services to include.
- Review your current arrangements and identify gaps that need attention.
- Agree practical improvements, priorities and responsibilities.
- Coordinate with your IT provider on the changes and information needed.
- Gather information and prepare accurate assessment responses.
We will agree the scope and cost of any Samaryam support before work begins. The government discount covers assessment and certification fees, while preparation support, equipment changes and other improvements are priced separately. Certification is awarded following a successful assessment.
Could your organisation receive fully funded certification and support?
A separate Cyber Essentials for Suppliers route offers eligible, nominated UK SME suppliers fully funded first-time certification and tailored support from an NCSC-assured Cyber Advisor.
Access is through a customer that has signed the Cyber Resilience Pledge. Participating customers identify and notify relevant suppliers, with access supported through IASME. This programme runs until the end of March 2029.
If your organisation supplies a participating customer, ask whether you could be considered for nomination. We can help you understand the published routes and discuss your preparation needs as well as help you discuss the options available to you.
How do you take the next step?
Start with a conversation about your organisation, the systems you use and any customer requirements or deadlines you need to meet. From there, we can help identify your starting position and agree the support needed to prepare for assessment.
Contact Samaryam Tech to discuss Cyber Essentials and how your organisation could benefit from the funding opportunity. Use the enquiry button below to tell us what you need help with.
