Lexcel & Cyber Essentials: A Match Made in Heaven

Strengthen Your Legal Practice with Cyber Essentials

Discover how Cyber Essentials enhances the Lexcel standard—helping law firms meet regulatory requirements, protect client data, and build lasting trust. With Cyber Essentials becoming mandatory for Legal Aid firms handling criminal contracts by October 2025, now is the time to act.

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Lexcel & Cyber Essentials: A Match Made in Heaven

Introduction to Cyber Essentials

What is Cyber Essentials? Cyber Essentials is a UK Government backed standard that allows organisations to protect themselves from the most common type of malware. It focuses on five key areas: Firewalls Secure Configuration User Access Control Malware Protection Patch Management

Did you know? Cyber Essentials is becoming mandatory for UK Legal Aid firms handling criminal contracts by October 2025. This means that firms handling legal aid contracts across criminal law must achieve cyber essentials certification in order to retain their legal aid contracts.

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FAQs

What is Cyber Essentials?

Cyber Essentials provides a baseline level of cybersecurity protection. It’s designed to help safeguard sensitive client data—something that’s especially critical for firms working with Legal Aid Criminal contracts.

Why does it matter?

Demonstrates your commitment to cybersecurity
Protects your firm and your clients
Ensures compliance with Legal Aid criminal contracts

How do I get certified?

Use the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) toolkit to assess your current security posture. From there, you can work with a certified body we offer the standard, such as Centre for Assessment, to complete the certification process. You can also find out more about the Lexcel standard, which we also offer accreditation in, by visiting our website.

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Benefits of Cyber Essentials for Law Firms

1

Client Trust & Reputation

As a law firm, you will handle extremely sensitive data e.g. contracts, wills etc…, therefore the cyber essentials demonstrate to clients that a firm takes data security seriously, which will stand you in good stead.
2

Regulatory Compliance

The solicitor’s regulation authority (SRA) and GDPR expect firms to safeguard client data, and cyber essentials help to show compliance with these mandatory obligations.
3

Competitive Advantage

Many corporate and government clients require suppliers to have cyber essentials as a baseline. Having certification in cyber essentials will help to win new clients and contracts.
4

Reduced Risk of Cyber Attack

Law firms are a prime target for cyber criminals due to the volume of confidential information that they hold. Certification helps to protect you from these cyber security breaches.
5

Improved Internal Practice

Cyber Essentials encourages firms to re-look at their IT Setup, processes and staff awareness, leading to stronger day to day operations
6

Cost Effective

Compared to other accreditations e.g. ISO 27001, Cyber Essentials is relatively expensive and quick but still provides solid protection.
7

Futureproofing

With increasing digitalisation of legal services, e.g. cloud based case management systems, having Cyber Essentials sets a foundation for adapting more cyber security frameworks in the future.

Client Testimonials

"The Centre of Assessment have always been very helpful and supportive when required. Provided us with guidance for Cyber Essentials which we completed after lexcel accreditation - would certainly recommend them to others."

Benest & Syvret

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Interested in Cyber Essentials?

Holding Lexcel and Cyber Essentials together shows a law firm is both well managed and highly secure, giving clients confidence in quality and data protection. Together they reduce risk, build trust, and set the firm apart from competitors.

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Who are Centre for Assessment?

We are a leading certification provider and a UKAS accredited body (No. 0120)*, we provide certification to ISO and sector specific Standards, as well as specialised training services. Visit our website for more information about what we do.

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Have a Question?

Speak to our team on 0161 237 4080