What is the Cyber Essentials First Step Fund?

A UK Government funding scheme, launched in November 2026 and delivered by IASME, giving eligible micro, small and medium-sized businesses up to 75% off their first Cyber Essentials certification.

How much does Cyber Essentials cost with the fund?

With the 75% discount, eligible businesses can certify from around £80 + VAT depending on size, compared with the usual fee of around £320 + VAT for the smallest tier.

The fund is aimed at UK micro, small and medium-sized organisations that have not held Cyber Essentials certification in the previous four years. Funding is limited, first-come first-served, and must be used by 31 March 2027. IASME confirms eligibility.

Does the funding guarantee I will pass?

No. You still need to meet the five Cyber Essentials technical controls, which is exactly what Foresight helps you put in place before you submit.

What is Cyber Essentials?

A UK Government-backed certification covering five technical controls that protect against around 80% of the most common cyber attacks.

Do I get anything else with certification?

Eligible UK organisations with annual turnover under £20m that certify their whole organisation are entitled to free Cyber Liability Insurance arranged by IASME.

How does Foresight help?

We check eligibility, help you apply via IASME, get your systems meeting the five controls, and guide you through assessment to certification — and can take you on to Cyber Essentials Plus.

What is the deadline?

You must register and purchase your Cyber Essentials assessment by 31 March 2027, then you have six months to complete it, subject to funding availability.

Government-Funded Offer

Get up to 75% off Cyber Essentials.

The UK Government’s new First Step Fund covers 75% of your first Cyber Essentials certification — so eligible small businesses can get certified from around £80 + VAT. We’ll guide you through every step, from eligibility to certificate.

Check your eligibility Call 0161 738 1399 cyber@foresightuk.com

The offer at a glance

Up to 75% off your first certification
Certify from around £80 + VAT
For eligible UK small & medium businesses
Deadline: 31 March 2027

Up to 75% off Cyber EssentialsFrom ~£80+VAT · Eligible UK SMEs · Deadline 31 Mar 2027

Check your eligibility →How it works →

What is the First Step Fund?

In November 2026 the UK Government launched a £9.4 million funding package — the Cyber Essentials First Step Fund — to help smaller organisations get protected. It’s delivered by IASME, the National Cyber Security Centre’s official Cyber Essentials Delivery Partner.

Eligible businesses get a 75% discount on their first Cyber Essentials assessment and certification — bringing the smallest tier down from around £320 + VAT to roughly £80 + VAT. Funding is limited, allocated first-come, first-served, and you must register and purchase by 31 March 2027.

See the official scheme & eligibility at IASME →

Who’s eligible?

UK micro, small or medium-sized organisations

You haven’t held Cyber Essentials in the previous four years (first-timers or long-lapsed)

Applied for and managed via IASME — the discount still applies when you certify through an approved Certification Body

Funding is limited and doesn’t guarantee certification — you still need to meet the controls. IASME confirms final eligibility; we’ll help you check before you apply.

What you get with Cyber Essentials

Protection against around 80% of common cyber attacks via five simple technical controls

A recognised certificate that wins contracts and reassures customers, insurers and auditors

Free Cyber Liability Insurance for eligible UK organisations with turnover under £20m (whole-organisation certification)

A solid foundation to step up to Cyber Essentials Plus and fuller managed security

How we help — step by step

1Free eligibility & readiness check — we confirm you qualify and spot any gaps.

2Apply for the funding — we help you register with IASME and claim the 75% discount.

3Meet the five controls — MFA, patching, firewalls, access control and malware protection.

4Assessment to certificate — we guide you through the self-assessment and get you certified.

5Go further (optional) — step up to Cyber Essentials Plus and ongoing managed security.

Check your eligibility — free, no obligation

Leave your details and we’ll call you back to confirm if you qualify for the 75% First Step Fund discount and how we’d get you certified.

Prefer email? Write to us at cyber@foresightuk.com.

Claim your 75% discount before the funding runs out.

The First Step Fund is first-come, first-served and closes on 31 March 2027. We’ll check your eligibility and get you certified — the easy way.

Check your eligibility Email cyber@foresightuk.com