Free Cyber Essentials Pitfalls Course

Prepare for Cyber Essentials and avoid common assessment mistakes

This free Cyber Essentials course explains five common pitfalls that can cause confusion or delay during an assessment, together with practical checks to complete before submitting your answers.

Work through the training at your own pace and use it to identify areas that may need closer attention across your organisation's devices, accounts, software and security arrangements.

Start with the free course

Build a clearer Cyber Essentials preparation plan

Register for full access to the self-paced course and review the five pitfalls before your organisation submits its Cyber Essentials assessment.

Use the Register for free! button at the top of this page to begin.

Ready to take your Cyber Essentials preparation further?

Use the free course as a starting point, then choose the next step that fits how you want to learn: continue online, join the live workshop in Cardiff or arrange private training for your organisation.

Coming soon

Continue online

Cyber Essentials Readiness Training – Online Course

Continue from the free Pitfalls course into a more complete, self-paced Cyber Essentials readiness course designed to help you understand the requirements and prepare your organisation before assessment.

Self-paced online learning
Instructor-presented explanations
Practical activities and knowledge checks
Readiness workbook and supporting resources

Coming soon – view all courses

Live workshop in Cardiff

Cyber Essentials Readiness Training – Live Workshop

Join a focused, instructor-led morning workshop to work through the Cyber Essentials requirements, common readiness problems and practical preparation activities.

Thursday 22 October 2026
Arrival from 9:00am
Workshop 9:30am–12:30pm
Buffet lunch and networking until 1:30pm
Cardiff City Stadium
£249 + VAT per place

CymruSec is also taking place at Cardiff City Stadium that day. Attendance is separate and requires separate registration through CymruSec, subject to their own eligibility and availability requirements.

View the workshop and book

Private delivery for teams

Cyber Essentials training for your organisation

Arrange private, instructor-led training for staff involved in Cyber Essentials preparation, IT, governance, supplier assurance or compliance activity.

Private team delivery
Agreed learner numbers and outcomes
Practical activities and questions
At your premises or an agreed venue
Suitable for SMEs and organisational teams

Discuss training for your team

Frequently asked questions

Key information about the free Cyber Essentials Pitfalls course.

Who is this free Cyber Essentials course for?

It is suitable for SMEs, managers, IT staff and anyone supporting an organisation's Cyber Essentials preparation or assessment submission.

What does the course cover?

The course explores five common Cyber Essentials assessment pitfalls and practical checks organisations can complete before submitting their answers.

Is the course completely free?

Yes. Register through PCS Training to access the complete self-paced online course without a course fee.

Does completing this course give me Cyber Essentials certification?

No. This is a preparation course that helps you understand common pitfalls. Cyber Essentials certification requires a separate assessment through an authorised certification route.

What can I do after completing the free course?

After the free course, you can continue with the Cyber Essentials Readiness Training – Online Course, book the Cyber Essentials Readiness Training – Live Workshop in Cardiff, or ask PCS about private Cyber Essentials training for your organisation.

How do I register?

Use the Register for free! button at the top of this page. If you are already registered, the button may display Continue and take you back into the course.

Have a question about the free course, the online readiness course, the live workshop or private team training?

Contact PCS Training