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Cyber Security

Cyber Essentials Certification in Preston

What Is Cyber Essentials?

The Cyber Essentials certification scheme is UK government-backed and designed to help organisations protect themselves against the most common online threats. It focuses on key areas of IT Security, ensuring businesses have the appropriate basic security measures in place to protect its computers, devices, networks and sensitive data from common cyber attacks. The certification focuses on five core areas of security and involves a business completing a verified self-assessment.

Why Cyber Essentials Is Important For Businesses in 2026

It is estimated that around 12% of small businesses in the UK hold an official Cyber Essentials certification (according to gov.uk).

The latest 2026 government campaign encourages UK businesses to achieve Cyber Essentials certification and take practical steps to improve cyber resilience . The campaign launched on 17 February 2026, encourages businesses to lock their doors to cyber criminals.

For more information about Cyber Essentials support, call our experts today on 01995 600700.

How Does Cyber Essentials Help Your Business?

  • Helps protect your business against common cyber attacks
  • Identifies weaknesses in your IT security
  • Can support cyber insurance requirements
  • Can help you meet customer and supply-chain requirements
  • Can help businesses qualify for certain contracts
  • Builds customer and supplier confidence
  • Provides a recognised cyber security benchmark

Our Cyber Essentials Process

1. Initial consultation
Understand your current IT environment and security controls.
2. Identify security gaps
Review the areas covered by the Cyber Essentials requirements.
3. Remediation
Help address any weaknesses identified such as malware protection, software updates, secure configurations and user access controls.
4. Prepare for certification
Assist you with the certification process and required information.
5. Certification
Complete the relevant assessment through the appropriate certification route.

Cyber Essentials

Providing businesses a straightforward way to demonstrate they are following essential cyber security best practices, the standard Cyber Essentials certification is an independently verified self-assessment process. The answers need to accurately reflect your organisation’s IT infrastructure and security.

However, it’s essential that the certification is completed accurately and honestly, especially if it forms part of your cyber insurance requirements.

Even a single gap in your security controls, such as one user not having Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) enabled, could put you at risk of a rejected claim in the event of a cyber incident.

Reassuringly, the current government campaign says organisations certified with Cyber Essentials made 92% fewer insurance claims in the previous year which is a good thing.

That’s why it’s so important to get Cyber Essentials done properly, not just completed.

Cyber Essentials Plus

Before your Preston-based company can achieve Cyber Essentials Plus, you must first complete the verified Cyber Essentials self-assessment.

Cyber Essentials Plus includes the same five core security controls, but instead of relying on self-assessment alone, it provides greater assurance through your systems being independently tested by a qualified assessor and is working in practice, and not just on paper.

Because of this, preparation is key. To give yourself the best chance of passing first time, it makes sense to work with an experienced IT professional before the external assessment takes place.

At AMP InfoSys, we guide businesses through the entire process, helping you get properly prepared, avoid common pitfalls, and achieve certification with confidence.

One of our team members has recently completed training as a Cyber Essentials Assessor, and we are now working with local businesses to perform Cyber Essentials Readiness Checks to prepare for accreditation & assist with the basic CE certificate.

In partnership with CyberSmart, we are also able to work with businesses to gain CE Plus accreditation.

In Partnership with CyberSmart

We support businesses right across Preston through Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus helping you to achieve certification properly, and strengthen your cyber security and protect the systems your business relies on every day.

Whether you are preparing for Cyber Essentials for the first time or looking to progress to Cyber Essentials Plus, our team of security experts can help your business understand what is required and prepare your IT systems for certification.

Call us on 01995 600700 to start your cyber security journey with us.

Need Help with Cyber Essentials?

Some Cyber Essentials self-assessment questions can be difficult to interpret especially if you don’t have a technical IT background or your business has a more complex structure.

If you’re getting started on your own, there are helpful free resources available through the official Cyber Essentials scheme, including guidance on the website and a free 30-minute call with their team. You can find support and further information via IASME Consortium.

Latest Testimonial
“We’ve worked with Adam and James from AMP for over 10 years; as the business has grown, we’ve always found them and the rest of the team to be friendly, knowledgeable & efficient. They are a reliable partner who have proactively managed our IT support throughout this period, sometimes challenging our established practises but always wanting to make sure we have the most robust and secure systems in place. This ensures our systems and data remain secure, allowing us to focus on our own customer service and business growth.”
Chris Gibson, MD of GGM Group
"Adam & his team at AMP have provided us with a solid, reliable, professional service over the last 20 years. Over that time I have been approached by other security & IT providers, none of which have measured up."
Patrick Daniels
Second Chance Ltd
"Working with AMP InfoSys has made a real difference to how we manage our IT across all our practices. Their team understands the unique challenges of a busy veterinary environment and consistently provide reliable, proactive support that keeps our systems running smoothly. The recent upgrade to Windows 11 was handled seamlessly, with minimal disruption to our daily work. We value their friendly, knowledgeable approach and the peace of mind that comes from knowing our technology is in safe hands. AMP InfoSys have become a trusted partner who genuinely care about our business and our ability to deliver the best possible care to our clients and their animals."
Mandy Wilkinson, Director & Product Manager
Lanes Vets
"AMP has been our trusted IT support provider for many years. Although we briefly worked with another provider, we ultimately chose to return to AMP - a decision we’ve never regretted. Their understanding of our business needs and expectations is exceptional. They respond quickly to any queries or issues, and their team of engineers is consistently knowledgeable, professional, and patient. I would highly recommend AMP to any business looking for reliable and efficient IT support."
Rosa Stuart, Practice Manager, Towers & Gornall Accountants
"Working with AMP is a partnership built on trust, shared values, and a forward-thinking approach. Both of our businesses started from local roots and have grown through the same commitment to reliability, innovation, and customer care. As two companies at the forefront of developing technologies in our respective industries, we understand the importance of staying ahead. AMP’s IT support gives us the confidence that our systems are secure, efficient, and ready to evolve with us, allowing our team to focus on delivering the fast, high-quality service our customers rely on. It’s reassuring to work with a company that truly understands what it takes to combine progress with personal service."
Paul Talarczyk, Managing Director, Allcool NW Ltd
I’ve enjoyed working with AMP for many years now and trust them implicitly. It is a side of our business that is developing all the time and AMP's expertise is invaluable. Because their men are so clever and work most things out remotely, it's as if they're sat in the office with me when I call them.
Andrew Brewer, Claylands
I've had so many little issues recently which wouldn't have happened if I had contacted AMP in the first place but the guys have been great helpful, friendly and efficient. Thanks Guys!
Laura, E Collinson & Company Ltd (SmileBack Review - Nov '25)
Damon was excellent - query sorted in a very timely manner. Very professional.
Donna Wallace, Beckett Rawcliffe Ltd (SmileBack Review - Nov '25)
Always a helping hand in getting issues sorted promptly and get me back up and running. Thank you :)
Marie Wells, WyreBank (SmileBack Review - Dec '25)
Excellent IT support! My issue was resolved extremely quickly, in full, and with absolutely no issues. Highly recommend. Katharine Selby, Lanes Vets Ltd
Katharine Selby, Lanes Vets Ltd (SmileBack Review - June '26)
Very simple request for a techy but very important for us to understand that crucial data was being placed in the correct place for automated back up on a particular PC. As always, response and service from AMP – excellent!
Shaun, Links Signs & Graphics (SmileBack Review - June '26)
“The issue was not urgent; however, Charlie responded remotely within a couple of hours of the initial email. He quickly identified and resolved the problem, restoring full functionality of the laptop. Thank you for the prompt and efficient support.”
Richard, Collinson Besthall Ltd (SmileBack Review - June '26)
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