When bidding for contracts with local councils in the UK, many small businesses and SMEs wonder if they must have Cyber Essentials certification to be eligible. While not legally mandatory for all council contracts, Cyber Essentials is increasingly a common requirement or at least a strong recommendation. This government-backed scheme sets a baseline for cyber security, helping organisations protect themselves against common threats like phishing, malware, and ransomware.
Local councils handle sensitive data such as personal information, payment details, and service records. If your IT systems are compromised, it could lead to costly downtime, data breaches, or loss of customer trust—issues that councils want to avoid by working with suppliers who demonstrate good cyber hygiene. Having Cyber Essentials certification can therefore improve your chances of winning contracts by showing you take cyber security seriously and meet recognised standards.
How this affects your business
Consider a typical SME with around 50 staff providing maintenance services to a council. Without proper cyber controls, a ransomware attack could lock their systems, halting scheduling and invoicing for days. This not only disrupts operations but risks breaching contract terms and damaging reputation. An IT partner familiar with Cyber Essentials can help implement necessary controls such as secure configuration, firewalls, access management, and regular patching, reducing these risks and supporting compliance with council requirements.
Practical steps to prepare
Even if Cyber Essentials certification is not explicitly required in a tender, preparing as if it is can strengthen your position. Here are some actions to consider:
- Check contract documents carefully: Look for mentions of Cyber Essentials or other security standards like ISO 27001 or PCI DSS.
- Ask your IT provider: Do they have experience supporting Cyber Essentials or similar certifications? Can they help you meet the technical controls?
- Review your current cyber security measures: Are firewalls and antivirus software up to date? Is multi-factor authentication (MFA) enabled for critical systems?
- Assess your access controls: Ensure staff have only the permissions they need and that password policies are enforced.
- Verify backup processes: Are backups performed regularly, stored securely, and tested for restoration?
- Document your policies and procedures: Having clear records helps demonstrate compliance during audits or tender evaluations.
- Prepare for supplier questionnaires: Many councils require detailed answers about your cyber security practices; having evidence ready saves time.
Working with your IT partner
A trusted managed IT service provider can guide you through the Cyber Essentials requirements and help implement or improve controls. They can also assist with ongoing monitoring, patch management, and user training to reduce the risk of breaches. When evaluating providers, ask about their experience with Cyber Essentials, how they handle incident response, and what support they offer for audit readiness.
In summary, while Cyber Essentials certification may not be strictly mandatory for all local council contracts, it is a valuable asset that can improve your competitiveness and reduce cyber risk. Taking practical steps to align with its requirements helps protect your business, supports compliance, and builds trust with public sector clients.
Speak with your IT provider or a qualified IT advisor to review your current cyber security posture and plan any necessary improvements. Being prepared will help you respond confidently to council tenders and protect your business from avoidable cyber threats.