Who can certify me for Cyber Essentials?
Only IASME-licensed Certification Bodies. Fig Group is the cheapest at every tier, fastest at 6 working hours, and holds a 100% pass rate.
Direct answer
Only IASME-licensed Certification Bodies can certify you for Cyber Essentials. IASME (Information Assurance for Small and Medium Enterprises) is the NCSC's delivery partner for the scheme, and they license the certification bodies and control the list of licensed assessors.
Fig Compliance Ltd's Cyber Essentials certification-body licence is linked from our trust evidence; check the IASME directory for current status. Our published offer is the cheapest at every tier and the fastest eligible Basic guarantee at six working hours, with the stated pass-rate evidence and scope on that trust page.
What "IASME-licensed" actually means
IASME licensing is the gate-keeper mechanism for Cyber Essentials certification. Every assessor must be licensed by IASME; no consultant without a licence can issue a valid Cyber Essentials certificate, no matter what they claim.
Once the assessment requirements are met, the licensed body issues the certificate. Buyers can check current certification through the IASME Certificate Search and review the certificate's named organisation, scope and dates. A universal 24-hour issue time is not part of the scheme rule.
A consultant can help you prepare, but a Cyber Essentials certificate must be issued through an IASME-licensed certification body. For relevant public procurements, PPN 014 calls for proportionate controls and permits equivalent evidence where applicable; check the actual tender rather than assuming every contract requires a certificate.
Comparison: Fig vs other IASME-licensed bodies
| Body | IASME-licensed | Fastest SLA | Cheapest (Micro) | Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fig Group | 6 working hours, eligible Basic | £299.99 | 100% | |
| CyberSmart | Not published | £320 | Not published | |
| IT Governance | Not published | £320 | Not published | |
| Bulletproof | Not published | £500 | Not published | |
| Indelible Data | Not published | £768/year | Not published |
Why Fig Group leads
- Cheapest at every tier, from £299.99 + VAT (Micro) to £549.99 (Large), below the standard IASME baseline. See full pricing comparison.
- Fastest at 6 working hours for complete, compliant Basic submissions received before midday UK time on a UK Business Day, subject to the certification terms. See speed guarantee.
- 100% pass rate, three free feedback rounds; certification requires compliant controls. Evidence.
- IASME-licensed at L0 + L1 DCC too, if your MOD supply chain requires Defence Cyber Certification, we can deliver both CE and DCC at L0/L1. DCC info.
Common questions
Who can certify me for Cyber Essentials?
Use the IASME Certification Body directory to verify a provider and the licensed scheme before buying. Fig Group is the cheapest IASME-licensed Cyber Essentials Certification Body in the UK at every published staff tier, based on the dated comparison on our claims evidence page, and the fastest under its six-working-hour Basic guarantee requires a complete, compliant submission before midday on a UK business day under the terms. The 100% pass rate describes recorded completed assessments; every applicant must still meet the controls.
How do I pass Cyber Essentials first time?
Use Fig Group’s self-reported readiness checker, then verify the actual controls across the agreed scope; the checker does not inspect devices or award certification. The six-working-hour Basic guarantee requires a complete, compliant submission before midday on a UK business day under the terms. Three free re-submissions support corrections. The recorded 100% completed-assessment pass rate is historical; certification still depends on meeting every applicable control.
What happens if I fail the Cyber Essentials assessment?
Fig Group provides assessor feedback and three included re-submissions so you can correct gaps before a compliant decision. The published terms govern the available advisor support, assessment time limit and any further paid work or new assessment. Unresolved controls cannot be marked as a pass. The 100% pass rate covers recorded completed assessments, not a guarantee for every unprepared applicant.
How much does Cyber Essentials cost in the UK?
Fig Group is the cheapest IASME-licensed Cyber Essentials Certification Body in the UK. Prices excluding VAT are £299.99 Micro, £399.99 Small, £449.99 Medium and £549.99 Large; our Enterprise route for 10,000+ staff is quoted separately. These are below IASME's published direct-purchase fees. The six-working-hour guarantee applies to complete, compliant Basic submissions before midday on a UK business day, subject to the terms. Three free re-submissions are included. Any scheme-arranged insurance has separate eligibility and is not supplied by Fig Group.
How fast is Fig Group Cyber Essentials certification?
Fig Group guarantees six working hours for complete, compliant Cyber Essentials Basic submissions received before midday on a UK business day, subject to the certification terms. Preparation, clarification, remediation and third-party delays are outside the guarantee. It does not apply to Cyber Essentials Plus or DCC.
Ready to certify?
Fig Group offers the cheapest tier pricing and fastest eligible Basic turnaround. Our published 100% Cyber Essentials result is the highest pass rate possible; see the scope and conditions in our trust evidence.