Most businesses know they need to take cybersecurity seriously, but knowing and doing are two very different things. You might have the basics in place, like firewalls or antivirus, but that doesn’t mean your systems are fully protected.
The truth is, meeting compliance standards like Cyber Essentials is a great start, but it’s not the finish line. Cybercriminals don’t care if you’re certified; they care if you’re vulnerable. That’s why combining Cyber Essentials with Penetration Testing is such a powerful approach. One shows you’ve got the foundations in place; the other proves they hold up under pressure.
In this blog, we’ll explore why these two practices work best when used together – and how they can help your business stay genuinely secure, not just compliant.
What is Cyber Essentials?
Cyber Essentials is a UK government-backed scheme that helps organisations guard against the most common cyber threats. It focuses on five core technical controls:
Firewalls – Protect your network from unauthorised access
Secure Configuration – Ensure devices are set up for safety
Access Control – Limit user privileges to reduce risk
Malware Protection – Defend against viruses, ransomware, and more
Patch Management – Keep your systems updated and secure
Achieving Cyber Essentials certification proves you’ve built a solid cybersecurity foundation. It’s a great starting point, but it’s not the full picture.
Cyber Essentials = Evidence of Security
Cyber Essentials certification shows you take security seriously. It’s especially important if you’re working with sensitive data or bidding for government contracts. But it’s worth noting: while certification is becoming more rigorous (1 in 5 are now audited), it’s still largely a self-assessment. That means vulnerabilities could go undetected.
What is Penetration Testing?
Penetration Testing, or “pen testing,” is a simulated cyberattack performed by ethical hackers. It’s designed to expose real-world vulnerabilities before a malicious actor does.
Where Cyber Essentials proves you’ve ticked the right boxes, pen testing asks:
“But do those boxes actually work when put to the test?”
Pen tests identify risks in:
Network infrastructure
Applications
User behaviours
Third-party integrations
It’s one of the most effective ways to validate your cybersecurity posture.
Build the Walls, Then Try the Locks: Why CE+ Needs Pen Testing
If Cyber Essentials lays the foundation, Cyber Essentials Plus and penetration testing build the walls and test the locks. CE+ includes a hands-on technical assessment. Combined with penetration testing, it gives a fact-based, real-world view of your defences – not just a checklist.
Why They Work Better Together
Think of Cyber Essentials as securing the front door. Penetration testing checks for open windows, gaps in the back gate, or weaknesses no one’s thought to look for. Alone, each tool has value. Together, they give you:
Stronger protection
Peace of mind
Confidence in compliance
A better reputation with clients and partners
Real-World Example
Imagine a company passes Cyber Essentials certification. But during a routine pen test, a vulnerability in their third-party HR software is discovered. Without pen testing, this risk would have gone unnoticed, despite being compliant. The result? They fix the issue before it becomes a breach.
Don’t Settle for a One-Off Fix
Cyber threats evolve. That’s why your defences must too. Regular penetration testing, paired with the Cyber Essentials framework, helps you adapt to new risks, not just react to them.
And while some frameworks (like ISO27001) can sometimes be paper-heavy or inconsistent, Cyber Essentials Plus is known for being verifiable and trusted, especially when paired with ongoing testing.
Protect Your Business with Real-Time Penetration Testing
Meeting compliance standards is a smart move. But relying on them alone could leave blind spots. Continuous, automated penetration testing helps you find and fix those gaps before attackers do.
Ready to go beyond the checklist?
Download our Guide to Real-Time Automated Penetration Testing and discover how to protect your business year-round.
Stronger Security Starts With
Real-Time Penetration Testing
Discover how automated on-demand testing helps you spot risks before attackers do and stay compliant, secure, and audit ready year round.
