Cyber Essentials Supply Chain Playbook by the National Cyber Security Centre 

Supply chains are increasingly where organisational assurance is tested. According to the National Cyber Security Centre, only 14% of firms are on top of the potential risks faced by their immediate suppliers, a gap that becomes harder to manage as supply chains grow larger and more complex.  

The Cyber Essentials Supply Chain Playbook is a practical response to this challenge. It sets out clear, actionable steps organisations can use to understand their supplier landscape, define proportionate requirements, and apply them consistently. Tools such as the IASME Supplier Check and the Playbook’s communication guidance help organisations turn intent into practical action. 

Cyber Essentials sits at the centre of this approach. From our own experience achieving and renewing Cyber Essentials Plus, its value lies in the practical measures it introduces across an organisation. The controls are clear, proportionate, and focused on getting the fundamentals right, giving organisations and their suppliers a shared baseline. 

The NCSC guide brings this together in a way that is both actionable and accessible. By focusing on supplier profiling and ongoing visibility rather than one-off checks, it gives organisations a clear framework they can return to as their supply chains evolve, supporting clearer decisions, expectations, and assurance.