40 minutes · free · certificate valid 1 year

Cyber Essentials Readiness

Understand the UK government-backed Cyber Essentials scheme: what it covers, the difference between Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus, and the five technical controls every organisation needs before applying. Finish the final assessment with a score of 75% or higher to earn a certificate, valid for one year.

Done this course before, or already know the material? You can go straight to the final assessment and renew your certificate without re-reading the lessons.

Who it's for: Business owners, managers, and IT staff in UK organisations preparing for Cyber Essentials certification, or anyone who wants a working understanding of the five controls.

What you'll learn

• Explain what the Cyber Essentials scheme covers and how the two certification levels differ.
• Describe the five technical controls and what each one requires in practice.
• Spot common failings such as default passwords, dormant accounts, and unsupported software.
• Apply the 14-day patching requirement for critical and high severity vulnerabilities.
• Prepare your organisation for the self-assessment questionnaire and annual re-certification.

What you'll cover

1. 1

   What Cyber Essentials is

   The scheme, who runs it, and the two certification levels.

2. 2

   Firewalls and secure configuration

   The first two of the five controls: boundary firewalls and secure configuration.

3. 3

   Security updates and malware protection

   Keeping software patched, and stopping malicious software from running.

4. 4

   User access control and certification

   The fifth control, and how the actual certification process works.

5. 5

   Putting it into practice

   Short workplace scenarios that test how you would apply this course in real situations.

6. 6

   Final assessment

   20 questions drawn at random from the full question bank. Score 75% or higher to earn your certificate.