Peeling Back the Sticker: Why Cyber Essentials Matters for Accountancy Firms
28th January
By Zowie Purnell, Marketing Coordinator
Human ignorance is a guilty sin.
We all do it.
My daughter picked up a pack of Reese’s the other day. Bright yellow sticker slapped right over the calorie count. You don’t need to see the number to know what’s coming – just read the ingredients. Sugar, fat, indulgence. But that sticker gives you permission to look away. Plausible deniability.
Cybersecurity works the same way.
According to 2024–2025 industry data, over 40% of cyber insurance claims are now being denied. One of the leading reasons? Misrepresented or misunderstood security controls – including those required for Cyber Essentials.
Think about that for a moment.
Imagine believing you’re covered…
Only to find out, when it really matters, that you’re not.
That’s not bad luck. That’s reckless.
It’s the Reese’s effect:
You know what’s in it.
You know the consequences.
But you’re encouraged to turn a blind eye.
Do that long enough and it catches up with you. Tight jeans. Health issues. Long-term damage.
In cyber terms?
Operational disruption. Reputational damage. Regulatory fallout. And a denied insurance claim when you need it most.
Here’s what really blows my mind:
Only ~9% of UK accountancy practices hold Cyber Essentials certification
22% never test their backups
43% provide no regular cybersecurity training
Cyber attacks on accountancy firms are up over 300% since 2020
These firms hold vast amounts of sensitive financial and personal data. They’re prime targets.
And of that 9% who are certified…
How many are being completely honest about their controls?
Cyber Essentials isn’t about ticking a box.
It’s about lifting the sticker and facing the truth.
That’s exactly why, in May, we’re partnering with Cyber Smart for a Cyber Essentials training event to run an educational session for business leaders:
What Cyber Essentials really is
What it actually requires
How it reduces risk, supports insurance, and helps your business thrive – not just comply
More details coming very soon. Watch this space.
And if you’d rather not wait, or you’re worried there might already be a sticker covering something uncomfortable…
👉 We can help you get started now.
Because ignorance might feel comfortable – but it’s expensive when it catches up with you.
