NetSec Community Shield
Pro bono Cyber Essentials and CE Plus assessments for charities
Charities handle some of the most sensitive data in any sector. Community Shield removes the consultancy cost so they can get certified without diverting funds from their work.
What's included (covered by NetSec)
- Full Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus assessment by an IASME-certified assessor and Certification Body
- Pre-assessment review against the five CE controls
- Practical remediation guidance for any gaps
- Support through the questionnaire and submission process
- Follow-up to make sure you're confident before submission
What you pay
Cyber Essentials: The standard certification fee of £320–£600 plus VAT, depending on organisation size. This covers your certificate, IASME scheme fees, and up to £25,000 of cyber insurance cover (valid 12 months).
Cyber Essentials Plus:Available at cost price once you've achieved CE Basic. You must complete CE Plus within 3 months of your CE Basic certification.
We don't charge for our time on either level. The only cost to your charity is the standard certification fees.
What we ask in return
Community Shield is pro bono, but it's not no-strings. We're upfront about all three:
A written testimonial
A few sentences about your experience going through the programme.
Case study permission
We write a short case study. You review and approve it before anything goes live.
Logo usage
Permission to display your charity's name and logo as a Community Shield participant.
Apply
Open to any UK charity or community group not already holding Cyber Essentials certification.
Frequently asked questions
Is there really no catch?
No catch. We cover the assessment and you pay the certification fee. We're transparent about what we ask in return. Our motivation: helping charities get certified generates goodwill, case studies, and proof that Cyber Essentials is achievable on any budget.
What if we're not ready to pass?
That's exactly what the programme is for. We work with you to identify gaps and help you fix them before anything is submitted. We won't put your application forward until we're confident you'll pass. The whole point is to get you ready, not to test you.
How long does it take?
It can take from as little as 5 days for organisations that already have things in place, up to a few weeks if systems and processes need to be put in place. The biggest variable is how long it takes to implement any changes we identify.
Does this include Cyber Essentials Plus?
Yes. Community Shield covers both Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus. The fees mentioned above are for CE Basic. Once your organisation is ready for CE Basic, you're essentially ready for CE Plus as well. We assess and certify for free — you only pay the certification costs. Get in touch if you'd like to discuss CE Plus.
Questions?
NetSecGroup
Bletchley Business Campus, Barton Road, Bletchley, MK2 3HU
85 Great Portland Street, London, W1W 7LT
IASME Certification Body for Cyber Essentials