At ComplySmart, staying ahead of compliance requirements isn’t just what we do—it’s who we are. That’s why we’re excited to announce that our AI-first platform has been upgraded to support the new Cyber Essentials Willow accreditation, which became the standard for all new certifications from April 28th, 2025.
What is Cyber Essentials Willow?
The Willow version represents the latest evolution of the UK Government’s flagship cyber security certification scheme, replacing the previous Montpellier question set. Developed by IASME in partnership with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), Willow strengthens the existing framework while keeping the five core security controls that make Cyber Essentials so effective.
Why This Upgrade Matters for Your Organisation
The transition to Willow isn’t just a technical update—it’s an enhancement that brings several important improvements:
Enhanced Vulnerability Management: The Willow update emphasises a broader approach to vulnerability management, requiring organisations to implement all forms of vulnerability fixes, including configuration changes and registry adjustments, especially when addressing high or critical vulnerabilities.
Refined Requirements: The update includes enhancements to the IT infrastructure requirements and introduces considerations for passwordless authentication technology, keeping pace with modern security practices.
Seamless Transition: While Willow makes some important adjustments, it is not a radical shift. It strengthens the Cyber Essentials framework and updates it to reflect current best practices.
ComplySmart Makes Willow Certification Effortless
Our upgraded platform ensures that achieving Cyber Essentials Willow certification remains as straightforward as ever. Here’s what you can expect:
Updated AI-Generated Policies: Our advanced AI technology has been enhanced to generate compliance-ready policies that align perfectly with the new Willow requirements. No more guesswork—just clear, tailored documentation for your organisation.
Refined Technical Guidance: We’ve updated our step-by-step technical implementation procedures to reflect the enhanced vulnerability management requirements and other Willow-specific changes.
Automated Compliance Tracking: Our platform automatically ensures your documentation stays aligned with the new standards, taking the stress out of ongoing compliance maintenance.
Same Great Value: Despite the enhanced capabilities, our Cyber Essentials solution remains at the same accessible price point of £500 per year or £50 per month.
Ready to Get Certified with Willow?
Whether you’re seeking your first Cyber Essentials certification or need to renew an existing one, our upgraded platform makes the process faster and more reliable than ever. With ComplySmart, what used to take months can now be accomplished in minutes.
The UK Government’s Cyber Essentials scheme continues to be one of the most effective ways to protect your organisation against common cyber threats while demonstrating your commitment to security to clients and partners. With our Willow-ready platform, you can achieve this certification with confidence.
Take Action Today
Don’t let compliance complexity slow down your business. Our AI-first approach to Cyber Essentials Willow certification means you can focus on what you do best while we handle the compliance heavy lifting.
Ready to experience the future of effortless compliance? Get started with ComplySmart today and see how quickly you can achieve Cyber Essentials Willow certification.
Have questions about the Willow upgrade or how it affects your existing certification? Our team is here to help. Contact us to learn more about how ComplySmart can streamline your journey to Cyber Essentials Willow compliance.