Cyber Essentials Has Record Year but Takeup Remains Low
UK Cyber Essentials certifications hit a record 61,430 in the year to June 2026, up 20%, but uptake remains low among 5.7 million SMEs.
The UK government awarded a record 61,430 Cyber Essentials certificates between July 2025 and June 2026, a 20% year-over-year increase, including 46,245 basic self-assessed and 15,185 audited CE+ certifications. Roughly three-quarters were recertifications, and uptake remains low against an estimated 5.7 million UK SMEs. An ESET survey found 49% of UK SMEs suffered a cyber incident in the past year, while the Cyber Resilience Pledge and the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill aim to push certification through supply chains.
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