Founded by a former Armed Forces Communications Engineer. IASME Approved Certification Body delivering Cyber Essentials, CE Plus, DCC Level 0 and penetration testing to UK businesses - with the precision and discipline the services demand.
// Who We Are
PRACTICAL CYBER SECURITY FOR UK BUSINESS
Founded by a former Armed Forces Communications Engineer and CISSP-certified Principal Security Consultant - we deliver Cyber Essentials, Cyber Essentials Plus, DCC Level 0 and Penetration Testing for organisations of all sizes, from sole traders to large enterprises.
Every assessor at Vincent Cyber Defence comes from an Armed Forces background. The discipline, precision and values that define military service sit at the heart of everything we do - from first call to certificate.
Unlike volume-based Certification Bodies where your assessment is passed between multiple staff, every client at Vincent Cyber Defence works directly with a senior lead assessor. We deliver plain-English guidance, transparent fixed pricing, and pragmatic support to get your certification right the first time.
OUR APPROACH
We believe cyber security should protect businesses - not confuse them. That means plain English at every stage, honest advice, transparent pricing, and a genuine focus on first-time pass.
✓
IASME Approved Body
100%
UK-Based Team
3
Core Certification Schemes
1st
First-Time Pass Focus
✓ IASME Approved Certification Body✓ CISSP Certified✓ IASME Lead CE Plus Assessor✓ IASME Cyber Assurance Assessor✓ Penetration Testing & Vulnerability Assessment✓ Nationwide Remote Coverage✓ Cyber Resilience Pledge Signatory →
// Our Philosophy
HOW WE THINK ABOUT CERTIFICATION
Three principles shape every engagement we run. They're not policies - they're the reason we built the firm the way we did.
01
WE DON'T SET CLIENTS UP TO FAIL
Most certification bodies open a portal, hand you a questionnaire, and wait. If you fail, you resubmit. We don't work that way.
Before you submit a single answer, we review your current controls against the requirements - identifying anything that needs addressing first. You only reach the assessor when you're genuinely ready. A failed submission costs time and money, and often a tender deadline. We make sure you know exactly where you stand before that clock starts.
02
FIRST-PASS IS A CULTURE, NOT A PROMISE
Our entire process is front-loaded by design. The scoping call, the readiness review, the guided submission support - all of it exists to make the assessment outcome predictable before the assessor ever reviews your answers. That means asking the difficult questions early, flagging things others might let slide, and resolving gaps before - not during - the formal process. We can't guarantee every client passes first time. What we can guarantee is that no client reaches the assessor underprepared.
03
CERTIFICATION SHOULD BUILD SECURITY AWARENESS
A certificate on the wall means nothing if the people running the business don't understand why the controls matter. We explain the reasoning behind every requirement - why patching within 14 days is critical, what MFA actually prevents, why separating admin and standard accounts changes your risk profile.
Clients who understand their controls maintain them. That's the difference between compliance that lasts and a certificate that quietly expires while the underlying risks return. We aim to leave every client more security-aware than when we found them - not just certified.
// Why Us
WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT
FRONT-LOADED PROCESS
We review your controls before submission - not after. Gaps are identified and resolved upfront so the assessment outcome is predictable, not a surprise.
PLAIN ENGLISH THROUGHOUT
No acronyms, no unnecessary complexity. We explain every requirement clearly - including why it exists - so you understand what you're implementing, not just that you have to.
TRANSPARENT PRICING
Fixed-price quotes upfront with no hidden fees. The IASME certification fee is always included. No surprise add-ons, no upselling services you don't need.
FORCES-TRAINED ASSESSORS
Every assessor comes from an Armed Forces background. That shapes how we work - mission-focused, thorough, no shortcuts. We understand the UK defence and government procurement landscape because we have operated inside it, not just assessed against it.
DEADLINE-AWARE
Government procurement deadlines are fixed. We work backwards from your tender date and tell you clearly whether your timeline is achievable - and what needs to happen to meet it.
LONG-TERM PARTNER
We aim to be your cyber security partner beyond the certificate - supporting renewals, advising on evolving requirements, and growing with your business as your security posture matures.
// What We Offer
OUR SERVICES
Every service is delivered by your dedicated lead assessor - from initial scoping through to certification or report delivery.
"Plain English throughout - no jargon, no pressure. We knew exactly what was needed at every stage and passed first time. Would not hesitate to recommend."
- MANAGING DIRECTOR / SME, South East England
★★★★★
"We had a tight tender deadline and Vincent Cyber Defence managed the entire process efficiently. Clear communication, fast turnaround, and no surprises - exactly what we needed."
- OPERATIONS MANAGER / Professional Services, London
★★★★★
"What stood out was the pre-submission review - they identified gaps before we submitted rather than after. That made all the difference to our confidence going in."
- IT MANAGER / MOD Supply Chain
Client names are withheld in line with confidentiality requirements; character references are available upon request.
// FAQ
COMMON QUESTIONS
Yes - Vincent Cyber Defence is an IASME Approved Certification Body, authorised to certify organisations for Cyber Essentials, Cyber Essentials Plus, and DCC Level 0. You can verify our status on the IASME website.
We complete a significant volume of certifications each year, supporting organisations from sole traders and small businesses through to large, multi-site and enterprise environments across a wide range of sectors.
We are a UK-based firm operating nationwide. All assessments are conducted remotely, so there are no geographic restrictions - we work with organisations across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as international companies including those based in Europe seeking UK Cyber Essentials certification.
Yes - we work with organisations of all sizes, from sole traders and micro businesses through to large enterprises. Our process is designed to be straightforward regardless of size, and our pricing is based on IASME's standard tiered structure, so smaller organisations pay less.
Yes - we regularly support clients with tight tender and contract deadlines. If you have an upcoming deadline, get in touch as early as possible and we will tell you clearly whether your timeline is achievable and what needs to happen to meet it.
We work across a wide range of sectors including professional services, legal, healthcare, manufacturing, MOD supply chain, education, and financial services. Cyber Essentials is increasingly required across all sectors, and our process is adapted to the specific context of your business.
Yes - we have experience supporting multi-site organisations including those operating across property and hospitality structures. Multi-site environments require careful scoping to ensure all relevant locations, devices, and systems are correctly covered, and we work through this with you at the outset.
Every assessment is led by a dedicated lead assessor - qualified to IASME Lead Cyber Essentials Plus Assessor and Cyber Assurance Assessor level. You deal with the same assessor from first call to certificate - not a helpdesk or a rotating contact.
Our lead assessors hold CISSP, IASME ICA Level 1, IASME ICA Level 2, DCC Level 0, Cyber Essentials, Cyber Essentials Plus, and MCP qualifications. All are qualified to IASME Lead Cyber Essentials Plus Assessor and Cyber Assurance Assessor level, with backgrounds spanning military communications, penetration testing, vulnerability assessments, and network infrastructure.
WORK WITH US
Talk to our team about your cyber security needs. No obligation, no jargon - just honest, practical advice.
Vincent Cyber Defence has signed the Government Cyber Resilience Pledge - including the commitment to require Cyber Essentials across our supply chain. View our signed declaration →
