Data & Security · Free course
What is Cyber Essentials?
A plain-English guide to Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus. Learn what the five controls ask of your Macs, iPhones and iPads, how the two levels differ, and how to get ready for assessment.
- Modules
- 4
- Time
- 49 min
- Level
- Beginner
- Cost
- Free
What you'll learn.
- What Cyber Essentials is, who runs it, and why clients and insurers ask for it
- What each of the five controls requires, and how to meet it on Macs, iPhones and iPads
- The two requirements that now cause an automatic fail, and how to avoid them
- How Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus differ, and when moving up is worth it
- What happens in a Plus audit, including device sampling and retests
- How to check your scope, gather evidence from your device management service and run a pre-assessment self-check
Who it's for.
Business owners, office managers and IT leads at UK organisations of any size who are thinking about Cyber Essentials, renewing it, or considering a move to Plus. It is written with Mac-first teams in mind, but the controls apply to every platform.
Course outline.
- Module 1: Cyber Essentials Explained
- Module 2: The Five Controls in Practice
- Module 3: Cyber Essentials vs Cyber Essentials Plus
- Module 4: Getting Ready for Assessment
Learn. Quiz. Earn a badge.
Short modules, a quick quiz after each one, and a badge when you finish the track. Pick up where you left off.
Start track →Is this course free?
Yes. Public courses in the Dr Logic Academy are free. You just need an Academy account to save your progress.
How long does it take?
About 49 minutes, across 4 short modules. Go at your own pace and pick up where you left off.
How does it work?
Each module ends with a short quiz. Pass them all to complete the track.
Do I earn a badge?
Yes. You earn a badge when you complete the track, and it shows on your Academy profile.
Do I need to be technical to follow this course?
No. Each control is explained in plain terms, with practical examples. IT leads will also find the Apple-specific detail useful when preparing devices for assessment.
Does it cover the latest version of the requirements?
Yes. The course covers v3.3 (Danzell), which has applied since 27 April 2026, including the new automatic fails for missing MFA and late security updates.
Is it only for organisations that use Macs?
No. The five controls are the same on every platform. The examples focus on Macs, iPhones and iPads because that is where Apple-specific defaults and gaps tend to catch people out.
Will this course get my organisation certified?
No. Certification is issued through IASME and its licensed certification bodies. This course explains what is involved and helps you prepare, so you know what to fix before you apply.
Do I need a device management service to take the course?
No. The course explains how a device management service (DMS, formerly known as MDM) helps you meet the controls and prove them, but you can follow it without one.
