Achieving Cyber Essentials Plus certification is a significant step in proving your organization’s commitment to cybersecurity. While the basic Cyber Essentials self-assessment lays the foundation, Cyber Essentials Plus involves a technical audit that often uncovers overlooked vulnerabilities. Many businesses underestimate the complexity of the audit and experience common failures that delay or prevent certification. Understanding these pitfalls is key to a smooth process. In this article, we’ll explore the most frequent Cyber Essentials Plus failures and how to avoid them, so your journey through the Cyber Essentials scheme is as efficient and successful as possible.

Outdated Software and Unpatched Systems

One of the most common failures in a Cyber Essentials Plus assessment is the presence of unsupported or unpatched software. The Cyber Essentials framework strictly requires that all operating systems, applications, and firmware are updated with the latest security patches. Any unsupported software—such as end-of-life Windows versions or outdated browsers—will immediately cause a failure. To stay compliant with Cyber Essentials, organizations should implement a patch management policy and regularly monitor for available updates.

Misconfigured Firewalls

Cyber Essentials places strong emphasis on firewall security, and misconfigured devices are a frequent source of failure. In Cyber Essentials Plus, assessors may perform external vulnerability scans to verify that ports and services are not unnecessarily exposed to the internet. Poorly configured firewall rules, open remote desktop ports, or lack of network segmentation often lead to audit issues. Avoid these failures by reviewing your firewall settings against Cyber Essentials guidelines and ensuring that only essential services are accessible externally.

Weak Password Policies

A weak password policy is another area where organizations often fall short. The Cyber Essentials standard requires that user accounts are protected with secure authentication methods, including complex passwords or multi-factor authentication (MFA). In Cyber Essentials Plus, assessors may test whether default credentials are still in use or if accounts are protected by easily guessable passwords. To comply with Cyber Essentials, enforce strong password policies across all systems and disable default or generic accounts.

Insufficient Malware Protection

Cyber Essentials mandates that endpoint devices must be protected from malware using appropriate security software. During a Cyber Essentials Plus assessment, antivirus programs are tested to confirm their effectiveness in detecting and handling malicious files. Common failures include missing antivirus on some devices, expired licenses, or software that doesn’t meet the Cyber Essentials minimum requirements. Organizations should ensure that all endpoints have up-to-date and active antivirus software that meets Cyber Essentials standards.

Incomplete Asset Coverage

Another typical Cyber Essentials Plus failure is overlooking devices during the audit. The assessment must include all in-scope assets, such as desktops, laptops, mobile devices, and cloud-hosted services. Missing or incorrectly scoped systems can result in non-compliance. To meet Cyber Essentials expectations, maintain a complete and accurate asset inventory and ensure every applicable device is compliant with security controls.

Poor User Access Control

Effective user access control is central to the Cyber Essentials scheme. Common failures include shared accounts, lack of user role segregation, or excessive administrative privileges. In Cyber Essentials Plus, auditors may check if users have more access than necessary or if accounts are properly managed. To pass this part of Cyber Essentials, ensure each user has a unique account, grant the minimum required permissions, and regularly review access rights.

Lack of Preparation and Testing

Many organizations fail Cyber Essentials Plus simply due to inadequate preparation. Assuming that passing the basic Cyber Essentials self-assessment guarantees success is a mistake. Cyber Essentials Plus requires practical proof of compliance, and systems must function securely in real-world conditions. Organizations should conduct internal audits or work with experienced consultants to identify and fix vulnerabilities before the official Cyber Essentials Plus assessment.

Conclusion

Avoiding common Cyber Essentials Plus failures starts with understanding the difference between documentation and implementation. Issues such as outdated software, poor firewall configurations, weak password policies, and incomplete asset coverage can all derail your efforts. To succeed with Cyber Essentials, take a proactive approach: perform regular audits, patch systems promptly, enforce strict access controls, and invest in endpoint protection. Preparing thoroughly and aligning every control with Cyber Essentials requirements ensures your organization not only passes the Cyber Essentials Plus assessment but also strengthens its real-world cybersecurity posture.

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