Securing Your Supply Chain in the UK with Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus

If your business relies on suppliers, contractors or technology partners, you are part of a supply chain. And if one link in that chain is weak, everyone connected to it is at risk.

As thousands of UK businesses approach the time to renew their Cyber Essentials certifications this November, now is the perfect moment to review your supply chain security and make sure every partner is doing their part.

Why supply chain security matters in 2025

The cyber threat landscape has evolved rapidly over the past year.

According to SecurityScorecard’s 2025 UK Supply Chain Report, 35.5% of data breaches in 2024 were linked to third-party suppliers. Even if your organisation has strong internal defences, you remain exposed to risks introduced by your partners.

Supply chain attacks spread quietly through shared systems and data, often going unnoticed until the damage is done. That is why Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus have become vital tools for modern organisations.

What Cyber Essentials means for your supply chain

Cyber Essentials is a UK government-backed certification that helps businesses guard against the most common online threats.

It focuses on five technical controls that form the foundation for digital security:

• Firewalls

• Secure configuration

• User access control

• Malware protection

• Security update management

  
  

Together, these measures prevent the majority of day-to-day cyber attacks. They are the digital equivalent of locking your office doors and setting the alarm before you leave.

Despite its effectiveness, awareness remains low. According to CyberCrowd’s 2025 analysis, only 12% of UK businesses and 15% of charities are aware of the Cyber Essentials scheme. That means many supply chains are still vulnerable to preventable risks.

Cyber Essentials Plus: taking assurance further

Cyber Essentials Plus builds on the same five controls but includes an independent technical audit of your IT systems.

This audit verifies that your security measures are not only in place but actively working. For clients, insurers and supply chain partners, that independent validation builds confidence and trust.

For organisations that share data and systems across multiple suppliers, this extra level of assurance demonstrates both compliance and resilience.

The business case for certification

Cyber Essentials is becoming a standard requirement across UK supply chains.

Data from SC Magazine UK shows that more than 10,000 Cyber Essentials certificates were issued in the first quarter of 2025, a clear sign that UK organisations are prioritising certification.

By embedding Cyber Essentials certification across your supply chain, you can:

• Gain confidence that your partners meet recognised cybersecurity standards

• Simplify lengthy due diligence and supplier reviews

• Reduce the likelihood of third-party breaches

• Strengthen your reputation for trust and compliance

This collective approach to certification helps raise the cybersecurity standard for entire networks, not just individual businesses.

Why November is the time to act

Cyber Essentials certification renews annually, and many UK organisations complete their assessments toward the end of the year.

If your certification, or that of your suppliers, is due soon, renewing now ensures continuous protection into 2026.

It is also the perfect opportunity to re-evaluate your supplier relationships and confirm that every partner still meets your organisation’s security standards.

How Fleko helps UK supply chains stay secure

As an accredited IASME Certification Body, Fleko helps organisations across the UK achieve Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus certification with clarity and confidence.

Our cybersecurity experts simplify every stage of the process, from readiness assessment and technical remediation to final audit and long-term support.

We also work with procurement and compliance teams to embed certification requirements within supplier contracts, making strong cybersecurity an achievable part of everyday business.

The bottom line

Your supply chain is only as secure as its weakest link.

By adopting Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus, you protect your business, your partners and your customers, creating a stronger and more resilient network for everyone involved.

Whether you are preparing for renewal or helping your suppliers achieve certification, Fleko provides the expertise and support to make cybersecurity practical, achievable and effective.

Protect your supply chain. Prove your commitment. Secure your competitive edge.

Learn more: fleko.co.uk/services