Cyber Essentials certification – Fully funded for small businesses
Get the competitive edge that wins you more contracts with fully funded Cyber Essentials certification for small businesses in Derbyshire.
If you’re a small business in Derbyshire (excluding Bolsover) you can now access up to £2,000 of fully funded support through the Derbyshire Accelerator*. At Black Swan Cyber Security Solutions, we make the process simple: from gap analysis to certification, we’ll guide you every step of the way so you can safeguard your business, win more contracts and give your customers complete confidence.
Helping small businesses across Derbyshire achieve Cyber Essentials
Get fully funded Cyber Essentials certification for your Derbyshire business (19 staff or less) with a Growth Voucher
If you’re a small business based in Derbyshire (excluding Bolsover) you can access up to £2,000 of fully funded support through the Derbyshire Accelerator – D2N2 Growth Hub programme.
That means your Cyber Essentials certification and consultancy could be covered in full, helping you protect your business, win new contracts and meet customer and supply chain requirements – without the upfront cost.
* Cyber Essentials support up to £2000 applies to businesses with 19 or less employeers. Businesses with 20 or more employees can still apply but will need to contribute towards the cost of certification, as the Growth Voucher will only cover the first £2,000. Businesses need to be registered on the Accelerator program and engaged with a Business Advisor. Eligibility terms and conditions apply.
What is a Growth Voucher?
The Growth Voucher scheme, delivered through the Derbyshire Accelerator, is a flexible government-funded program designed to help eligible small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) adopt new technologies and processes.
We specialise in helping businesses like yours use this voucher, which provides up to £2,000 (excluding VAT) in specialist consultancy support. This allows you to achieve a recognised Cyber Essentials certification at zero cost, introducing a vital security framework your business has not had before.
Key details of the voucher
Coverage: The voucher covers your first-year certification and our expert cyber consultancy support.
Eligibility: This funding is for first-time Cyber Essentials applicants only and is not available for renewals or re-certification.
Funding: No match funding is required, unless the total service cost exceeds the £2,000 voucher limit.
Simple Process: The application is straightforward and completed via a Growth Hub Business Adviser.
Important: All Growth Voucher activity must be completed before 14th of February 2026.
Who is the growth voucher for?
This fully funded opportunity is for businesses located in Derbyshire (excluding Bolsover) that are eligible for the Growth Voucher scheme. We help a wide range of organisations, including:
Small businesses
Professional services
Sole traders, freelancers and partnerships
One-person limited companies
If your business has 20 or more employees, you may still be eligible but would be required to contribute to costs that exceed the £2,000 voucher limit.
Zero-cost competitive advantage
Get fully funded certification support
Complete Cyber Essentials certification consultancy at no cost for qualifying Derbyshire businesses. No upfront fees for our assessment, guidance and certification support. We handle everything from gap analysis to final submission - you just focus on running your business.
Please note: While our consultancy is fully funded, additional cybersecurity software or hardware may be required to meet certification standards. We'll identify any requirements during your initial assessment and recommend cost-effective solutions.
Access contracts others can't bid for
Unlock new revenue streams
Join the 78% of certified businesses that win more contracts within 6 months. Many public sector tenders and major suppliers now require Cyber Essentials - without it, you can't even bid. Get certified and access opportunities worth thousands to your business.
Gain the edge clients demand
Stop cyber attacks before they happen
Cyber attacks cost UK small businesses an average of £8,460 each. Cyber Essentials blocks 98.5% of these threats, plus gives you £25,000 free cyber insurance. Protect your reputation, your data and your customers' trust with government-backed security.
Get certified faster than competitors
Certified in days, not months
Skip the complexity and confusion. Our Derbyshire-based experts guide you through certification in as little as 3 days - not the weeks or months other providers take. Local support means faster responses, clearer communication and someone who understands your business.
Need guidance first?
Not sure if you qualify or have questions about the process? Get expert advice before you apply for the Growth Voucher.
Complete the form or schedule a free consultation.
Why should I get Cyber Essentials certification?
As a small business owner in Derbyshire, you’re focused on growth, not on the unseen threats lurking online. But the reality is, cyber-attacks are no longer a problem for just big corporations. They target businesses of all sizes, often with devastating consequences. From data theft to operational downtime, a single security breach can derail years of hard work. On top of that, many public sector contracts and supply chains now require proof of robust security, creating a new compliance hurdle that’s tough to clear without help.
That’s where the Derbyshire Growth Voucher comes in. This isn’t just another service; it’s a game-changing opportunity. The Growth Voucher programme offers qualifying Derbyshire businesses a fully funded Cyber Essentials certification, providing up to £2,000 in support. This means you can get the protection and professional credibility you need without any upfront fees for the assessment, guidance, or certification process.
So, why go through the effort? The benefits are immense:
Win more business: The Cyber Essentials badge is a mark of trust. It’s a prerequisite for many government and public sector tenders and over three-quarters of certified businesses report winning more contracts within six months of certification.
Peace of mind: With Cyber Essentials, you’ll block 98.5% of the most common cyber-attacks, safeguarding your data and your customers’ information. The certification even includes £25,000 of free cyber insurance, giving you a powerful safety net.
Future-proof your business: The certification process takes as little as three days and helps you build a secure foundation for future growth. It demonstrates your commitment to security and positions you as a trustworthy partner.
Funding for these vouchers is limited and operates on a first-come, first-served basis, with a strict deadline of 14th February 2026. This is a finite opportunity to secure your business at zero cost.
Don’t let a cyber threat or a missed opportunity hold you back. Register for the Derbyshire Accelerator programme today to claim your fully funded Cyber Essentials certification before time and funding runs out.
- Without Cyber Essentials
- Cannot bid for many government or corporate contracts
- Higher risk of falling victim to phishing, ransomware, or malware
- Clients may question how safe their data is
- No access to free cyber insurance
- Unclear or inconsistent IT policies
- Limited staff awareness of security risks
- Security gaps go unnoticed
- With Cyber Essentials
- Eligible to bid for contracts and tenders requiring certification
- Protected against 98.5% of the most common cyber threats
- Demonstrates to customers and partners that you take security seriously
- £25,000 cyber insurance policy included with certification
- Clear, documented IT policies for staff (supplied as part of certification)
- Staff trained with simple, bite-sized cyber awareness modules
- Continuous monitoring and compliance reporting (via ActiveProtect)
We help Derbyshire businesses just like yours
We specialise in securing small businesses with Growth Vouchers support:
Small Businesses & SMEs: Tailored solutions for retail, hospitality and professional services firms.
Trades & Construction: Trusted security for builders, electricians, plumbers and contractors.
Independent Professionals: Meeting FCA and client trust requirements for accountants and financial advisers.
Micro-Businesses & Startups: Affordable and robust protection for one-person consultancies and new ventures.
Care & Social Providers: Safeguarding sensitive data and ensuring compliance with care regulations.
No matter where you’re based – from Chesterfield to Derby, Amber Valley, Erewash, High Peak or South Derbyshire, we can help you secure certification.
Your 6-step path to a secure, certified business.
At Black Swan Cyber Security Solutions, we guide you every step of the way. Our process blends expert manual checks with CyberSmart’s streamlined platform, ensuring you’re compliant, protected and ready to win new contracts.
Step 1: Register for the Derbyshire Accelerator
Step 1: Register for the Derbyshire Accelerator
Register on the Accelerator – D2N2 Growth Hub website and work with an Adviser who will take you through the application process
Step 2: We check your systems for hidden risks
If your Growth Voucher application is successful, contact us and we will carry out a manual assessment of your IT setup. We’ll identify your vulnerabilities, so you don’t have to guess where the risks are.
Step 3: Fixes & improvements
Step 3: Fixes & improvements
We’ll help you remediate issues and strengthen your defences. Depending on your needs, this may include:
Updating firewall and antivirus protection
Reviewing access controls
Improving patch management
Setting up secure configuration
Step 4: Guided assessment
Step 4: Guided assessmentWith your security shored up, we’ll guide you through the CyberSmart platform. We’ll be right there to help you complete the assessment, ensuring all answers are accurate for a smooth certification process.
Step 5: Final submission
Step 5: Final submission
Once everything is complete, we’ll submit your application for review. The assessment is conducted by an external, IASME approved assessor, ensuring an impartial and credible process. It’s important to know that some of the answers can be subjective, and the assessor may request clarification or more information. We’ll be there to help you respond quickly and accurately, ensuring a smooth process. You’ll then receive your official Cyber Essentials certificate and can start using the badge immediately to prove your security to clients and partners.
Step 6: Keep it current
Step 6: Keep it current
Your new Cyber Essentials certificate is a fantastic achievement. To help you maintain that security posture and stay ahead of evolving threats, we offer a range of ongoing support packages. Please note: This optional support is a separate service and is not funded by the Growth Voucher. We’ll be happy to provide a competitive quote to ensure your peace of mind continues long after the certification is complete.
Timeline to certification: 3 to 30 days
- Simple cases: 3-5 days
- Complex setups: 7-14 days
- Maximum timeline: 30 days with support
Get in touch today to see how Black Swan Cyber Security Solutions, in partnership with CyberSmart and D2N2, can help you get Cyber Essentials certified.
Why choose Black Swan Cyber Security Solutions?
Local expertise, national standards – We’re based in Derbyshire and specialise in helping local SMEs, schools, trades and professional services achieve government-backed certification without the jargon.
Tailored for small businesses – We focus on businesses with 19 employees or fewer – keeping things simple, cost-effective and practical.
End-to-end support – From readiness checks and gap analysis to certification submission, we work with you until you pass – unlimited submissions included.
Funding-friendly approach – We align our consultancy with the Growth Voucher programme requirements, ensuring your project is eligible and fully funded where possible.
More than a certificate – We don’t just “tick boxes” – we help you embed lasting processes that improve security, win contracts and build client trust.
Funding terms & conditions
- First-time applicants only – funding not available for renewals or re-certification.
- Voucher covers up to £2,000 (excl. VAT) of consultancy support and certification costs.
- Applies to Derbyshire SMEs (excluding Bolsover).
- Larger SMEs (20+ staff) may be eligible to contribute towards certification costs beyond voucher limit.
- All Growth Voucher activity must be completed before 14th February 2026.
- Applicants need to be registered on the Derbyshire Accelerator and engaged with a Business Adviser.
- While the Growth Voucher covers consultancy and initial certification only, Black Swan Cyber Security Solutions can provide competitively priced renewal services once your 12-month certificate expires. These services will be charged separately and are not covered by Growth Voucher funding.
What's included in our Cyber Essentials certification service?
We’ve always believed peace of mind shouldn’t come with fine print. That’s why our CyberSmart service gives you a smooth, fully supported route to Cyber Essentials certification - helping you prove your business is secure, compliant and insurance-ready.
Active Protect
Protect your organisation around the clock with 24/7 vulnerability scanning, cyber security awareness training and IT policy management (available for both mobile and desktop).
- Device monitoring and risk management
- Smart Policies – policy templates, distribution and agreement
- Mobile security checks
- Privacy-first approach for BYOD environments
- User management interface with deployment options and compliance reports
- Multi-level reporting across company, users and devices
Cyber Essentials Certification
Protection from 98.5% of the most common cyber threats, delivered faster than anywhere else with unlimited free submissions and live support.
- 1 x Cyber Essentials certificate can be achieved in any 12 month period
- Achieve the fastest certification on the market, in as little as 3 days
- Unlimited submissions until you pass – we work with you until you succeed
- Access unlimited support from the UK’s most experienced Cyber Essentials experts.
Learn Lite
Base level security awareness training solution included with Active Protect, to help companies get started with minimal administration. For more comprehensive training, we offer the CyberSmart Learn add-on (see box below).
£25k Cyber Insurance
Designed to help you with robust coverage in the event of cyber attack.
Free when you complete Cyber Essentials.
- 24/7/365 AIG response service
- Security and privacy liability
- Cyber extortion
- Network interruption
- 48 hour free AIG First Response Service
CyberSmart Learn add on
This is a comprehensive and fully customisable security awareness training platform, including phishing simulations and real time reporting, for organisations of all sizes. It has 70+ out-of-the-box training modules, covering phishing, social engineering and more advanced topics.
Secure your business
The five foundations for securing your business
As part of the cyber essentials certification process, our team will take care of deploying and documenting the five key controls needed for certification.
Firewalls & Internet Gateways
Your firewall is the digital gatekeeper between your business and the internet. Configured correctly, it stops unwanted access to your systems. For small businesses, this means reducing the risk of hackers sneaking in through open ports or weak settings on routers and Wi-Fi.
Patch Management
Hackers love out-of-date software. Cyber Essentials requires you to apply critical updates within 14 days of release. For small businesses, this means keeping Windows, Mac, apps and even phones updated – closing the door before criminals can exploit known weaknesses.
Access Controls
Not everyone in your business needs access to everything. By limiting accounts to the minimum they need and removing old or unused logins, you lower the risk of mistakes or misuse. For small businesses, this could be as simple as setting up standard accounts for staff instead of giving everyone admin rights.
Secure Configuration
Many devices and systems come with factory settings that are easy to exploit. Secure configuration means switching off what you don’t need, changing default passwords and tightening settings. For small businesses, this helps ensure laptops, mobiles, and cloud accounts aren’t left wide open to attack.
Malware Protection
Every business needs a way to stop viruses, ransomware and malicious software. This can be antivirus software, malware protection, or application allow-listing. For small businesses, it’s the difference between spotting a dangerous file before it runs or dealing with a costly data breach afterwards.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cyber Essentials?
Cyber Essentials is a UK Government-backed certification scheme that helps you protect your business against the most common online threats. Think of it as a robust digital lock for your business. It’s designed to provide a foundational layer of security, so you can focus on growth without worrying about opportunistic cyber-attacks. By implementing five key technical controls, you can block up to 98.5% of commodity cyber threats that rely on readily available hacking tools.
The security controls
The scheme is built around five fundamental security areas, each designed to create a strong digital defence for your organization.
Firewalls
This is your digital security perimeter. Firewalls create a barrier between your business network and the wider internet, blocking unauthorized access.
Secure configuration
This ensures your devices and software are properly set up and secure from the start, removing default settings and known vulnerabilities that hackers often exploit.
Access control
This is all about who can access what. It ensures only the right people have access to your data and systems, minimizing the risk of a breach from a stolen password or a malicious insider.
Malware protection
This is your defence against viruses, spyware, and malicious software. It ensures all your devices are protected and helps stop harmful files from getting a foothold in your network.
Patch Management
Keeping systems updated is critical. This ensures all your software and operating systems are regularly patched and secure, closing off known weaknesses before they can be exploited.
The two certification levels
There are two levels of certification to suit different business needs and compliance requirements.
1. Cyber Essentials (Standard)
This is the baseline certification. It is achieved by completing a questionnaire which is then independently reviewed by an IASME-approved assessor. This level provides a high degree of assurance and is suitable for most small to medium-sized businesses. It is a fast process, with certification often granted within 24-72 hours of submission.
2. Cyber Essentials Plus
This is a higher level of assurance that includes everything from the standard certification, plus a hands-on technical audit of your systems. A qualified assessor will conduct external and internal tests to verify that your controls are correctly implemented. It’s often required for sensitive government contracts and provides a more rigorous validation of your security posture. Due to the higher cost of this certification, it cannot be fully funded by the Growth Voucher.
How long does Cyber Essentials last?
The Cyber Essentials certification is valid for one year. To maintain your certification and continue to demonstrate your commitment to security, it must be renewed annually.
Is this just a one-time assessment?
No. CyberSmart monitors your cyber security continuously, keeping you compliant all year-round. The Cyber Essentials certification is valid for one year. To maintain your certification and continue to demonstrate your commitment to security, it must be renewed annually.
I don't use much technology - do I still need Cyber Essentials?
If you use email, a smartphone, digital invoicing, or any connected tools, you need protection. Even basic technology creates cyber risks.
How long does it take to get Cyber Essentials certification with CyberSmart?
Most businesses can achieve Cyber Essentials certification in just a few days when using CyberSmart, depending on their starting point and the complexity of their IT environment.
What if I fail the assessment?
With our unlimited attempts policy, you can keep trying until you pass. Our experts will guide you through any issues.
What happens after my business gets Cyber Essentials certified?
Certification is valid for one year. After that, you’ll need to renew to maintain compliance. CyberSmart makes it easy to stay on track with automatic monitoring and regular updates to your cyber security practices.
Is this just another government bureaucracy exercise?
No. Cyber Essentials addresses real threats that could shut down your business. It’s practical protection, not paperwork.
I have more than 19 employees. How much would I need to contribute?
As a rough guide, you would need to contribute around £1000 (plus the cost of any security enhancements).
Can I use the Growth Voucher if I've had Cyber Essentials before?
No, the Growth Voucher is only available for businesses obtaining Cyber Essentials certification for the first time. If you previously held certification that has since expired, you would need to fund any new certification privately.
What if I've had Cyber Essentials before but it expired?
Unfortunately, the Growth Voucher is exclusively for first-time applicants only as it needs to be a new process. If you previously held Cyber Essentials certification that has expired, this funding isn’t available for re-certification.
However, we understand that maintaining certification is crucial for your business. We offer competitive renewal rates and the certification process is typically faster the second time around.
Contact us for a renewal quote – we’re happy to discuss flexible payment options to make re-certification as affordable as possible for your business.
Can I apply if I'm a sole trader?
Absolutely! Sole traders are welcome to apply for the Growth Voucher funding. Whether you’re a one-person consultancy, freelancer, or independent contractor, if you’re based in Derbyshire (excluding Bolsover) and meet the eligibility criteria, you can access the full £2,000 funding.
What counts as eligible?
- Sole traders and freelancers
- One-person limited companies
- Partnerships
- Any business structure with 19 employees or fewer
- Business with more than 20 employees would need to contribute to the certification costs
Many of our sole trader clients find Cyber Essentials particularly valuable for:
- Winning corporate contracts – many larger clients now require it from all suppliers
- Building credibility – shows you take security seriously despite your size
- Peace of mind – protects your business data and client information
- Free insurance – £25,000 cyber insurance coverage included
The certification process is often simpler for sole traders too, as there are typically fewer devices and systems to assess.
Ready to apply? The process starts with registering for the Derbyshire Accelerator programme – we’ll guide you through every step.
How quickly do I need to act?
Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis and all projects must be completed by 14th February 2026. We recommend applying as soon as possible.
What happens if funding runs out before I apply?
Growth Voucher funding is limited. If it’s exhausted, we offer payment plans and competitive rates to help you still achieve certification.
Do I need to have all my IT sorted before applying?
No! We’ll assess your current setup and guide you through any improvements needed. That’s all part of our service.
I'm not very technical - will this be too complicated?
Not at all. We handle all the technical aspects and explain everything in plain English. Most of our clients have minimal IT knowledge.
Can I use this funding for Cyber Essentials Plus?
The voucher covers standard Cyber Essentials certification. We can discuss upgrading to Plus separately if your business requires it.
Why is the voucher only for first-time applicants?
The Growth Voucher scheme is designed to help businesses adopt a new process or technology. Since Cyber Essentials would be a new certified framework for your business, the funding is specifically for first-time applicants and cannot be used for renewals or re-certification.
What is the Derbyshire Accelerator Programme?
The Derbyshire Accelerator is a business support program funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. It provides local businesses with grants, specialist advice and workshops to help them grow and innovate.
Meet Kevin: Founder of Black Swan
Concerned about cyber security? Need advice or a tailor-made quote? Kevin is here to help you!
From actionable advice to helping you to see where you could be at risk, Kevin will help you to get your business on a path that is secure-by-design and ready for the unthinkable.
Ready to replace sleepless nights with peace of mind? It all starts with an informal chat!
Either schedule a call by selecting a suitable date and time on the calendar or by clicking the button below to send us a message.
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