Cyber Essentials 2026 Webinar Recording | What’s Changing and What Still Matters

Cyber Essentials continues to evolve, and April 2026 introduces further updates that organisations need to be aware of.

In this recorded webinar, we break down what is changing, what remains the same, and what the updates mean in practical terms for organisations preparing for Cyber Essentials or Cyber Essentials Plus.

Rather than focusing on theory, this session looks at how the changes appear in real assessments, the common pitfalls organisations still encounter, and how to prepare in a straightforward way without unnecessary stress or overcomplication.

You can watch the full webinar below.

What this session covers

• A refresher on the fundamentals of Cyber Essentials
• The April 2026 updates explained clearly
• Common assessment issues and how to avoid them
• Practical ways to prepare evidence efficiently
• What assessors are really looking for during certification

Who this session is for

This session is useful for IT managers, compliance leads, business owners, and anyone responsible for managing or preparing for Cyber Essentials or Cyber Essentials Plus within their organisation.

Watch the webinar

The full webinar recording is available below. If you have questions after watching, our team would be happy to help.

Next Steps: Preparing for Cyber Essentials

If you are planning to achieve Cyber Essentials or Cyber Essentials Plus, the changes discussed in the webinar may influence how you prepare and gather evidence.

Our team supports organisations of all sizes through the certification process, helping simplify the requirements, avoid common assessment issues, and prepare efficiently.

You can learn more about our Cyber Essentials services here:

Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus with Secarma

Cyber Essentials 2026 – Frequently Asked Questions

When do the Cyber Essentials 2026 changes take effect?

The updated Cyber Essentials requirements take effect on 27 April 2026. Organisations beginning certification after this date will complete the assessment under the updated guidance.

Will the Cyber Essentials controls change?

The five core Cyber Essentials controls remain the same. However, the guidance and assessment questions are updated to reflect modern technologies, cloud services, and evolving cyber threats.

Should we complete Cyber Essentials before the April changes?

Some organisations may find it simpler to complete certification before the updated requirements take effect. Organisations that certify before the change may remain on the previous framework during the transition period.

What is changing with multi-factor authentication?

If a cloud service offers multi-factor authentication it must now be enabled. Failure to enable MFA where it is available will result in an automatic failure of the Cyber Essentials assessment.

How quickly must vulnerabilities be patched?

Under the updated guidance, high and critical vulnerabilities affecting internet-facing systems must be remediated within 14 days. This requirement applies to both operating systems and applications.

Can Secarma help us prepare for Cyber Essentials?

Yes. Secarma supports organisations throughout the Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus process, helping teams understand the requirements, prepare evidence efficiently and achieve certification with confidence.