Cyber Essentials for Law Firms FAQ: Is It Worth It, What Does It Cover, and How Do You Get It?
Cyber Essentials is a UK government-backed certification that addresses the five controls that prevent the majority of common cyber attacks. For law firms, it provides documented evidence of baseline security that satisfies SRA expectations, reduces cyber insurance premiums, and increasingly meets client due diligence requirements. This FAQ answers the questions UK law firms most commonly ask about whether Cyber Essentials is right for them.
Cyber Essentials certification is now requested by a significant proportion of larger law firm clients as part of their supplier due diligence requirements.
The Five Cyber Essentials Controls
Cyber Essentials certification requires evidence of five core technical controls:
- Firewalls: boundary and personal firewalls that filter network traffic and prevent unauthorised access
- Secure configuration: systems configured securely from the start — removing default passwords, disabling unnecessary services
- Access control: user accounts with the minimum access necessary, MFA for administrative accounts (required from 2023)
- Malware protection: anti-malware software deployed on all user devices, kept up to date
- Patch management: software and operating systems patched and up to date within 14 days of updates being released
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Cyber Essentials satisfy SRA cybersecurity requirements?
Cyber Essentials maps closely to what the SRA expects in terms of technical controls. It does not address all SRA requirements — you still need a documented incident response plan, staff training records, and supplier due diligence — but certification provides strong evidence of the technical baseline. Many firms use Cyber Essentials as the foundation of their SRA compliance programme.
How long does Cyber Essentials take to achieve?
For a well-organised firm, the self-assessment questionnaire can be completed in a few hours. The preparation work — ensuring MFA is deployed, software is patched, firewalls are configured — typically takes two to eight weeks depending on the firm's starting position. Cyber Essentials Plus (which includes technical verification) adds further time but provides stronger evidence of compliance.
How much does Cyber Essentials cost?
Cyber Essentials (self-assessment) costs £300 plus VAT for the certification. Cyber Essentials Plus (with technical testing) is more expensive, typically £1,500–£3,000+ depending on the size and complexity of the organisation. Both are significantly less than the additional costs they typically save on cyber insurance premiums.
Is Cyber Essentials mandatory for law firms?
No — the SRA does not mandate Cyber Essentials. However, it is required for firms working with central government, increasingly required by larger commercial clients and insurers, and strongly indicated as baseline expectation by SRA guidance. For most UK law firms it is recommended rather than mandatory, but the cost-benefit case is compelling.
What is the difference between Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus?
Cyber Essentials is a self-assessment — you complete a questionnaire and it is reviewed by a certifying body. Cyber Essentials Plus involves independent technical verification of the controls you have declared. CE+ provides stronger assurance and is often preferred by government clients and larger corporate clients. For most law firms, standard Cyber Essentials is sufficient to satisfy SRA and insurer requirements.
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