Frequently Asked Questions

Is the free plan really free — forever?

Yes. The free tier is a complete product with no time limit. You get your Security Score, your full prioritised task checklist, and access to the AI Advisor — all at no cost. We don't require a credit card, and we don't switch you to a paid plan without your choice. We believe everyone in the UK should have access to good cybersecurity guidance.

What's the catch?

There isn't one. We offer a Premium Individual plan (£1/month early adopter, £3.99/month standard) and a Business Plan (£29/month) for users who want advanced features like PDF reports, historical score tracking, or multi-user dashboards. But those are optional extras — the free tier is genuinely useful on its own.

Do I need to give you my credit card to register?

No. Registration requires only an email address and a password. No payment details are needed for the free plan.

What is a Security Score?

Your Security Score is a number from 0 to 100 that reflects how well your current security setup aligns with the five controls in the UK government's Cyber Essentials framework. You get your score by answering a short assessment — it takes about 10 minutes for a first-time user. The score updates each month as you complete tasks.

What are the five Cyber Essentials controls?

The five controls are: firewalls, secure configuration, user access control, malware protection, and patch management (keeping software up to date). These five areas protect against the vast majority of common cyberattacks. Cyber Nova AI walks you through each one in plain English.

What does the task checklist include?

Your task checklist is generated based on your assessment answers. It's personalised to your situation — not a generic list of 200 things. Tasks are prioritised by impact, so the highest-risk items appear first. Each task has a plain-English explanation and step-by-step instructions for completing it.

What is the AI Advisor?

The AI Advisor is a chat-based tool you can ask any cybersecurity question. It's designed to give you a clear, plain-English answer without jargon or a sales pitch. Ask things like: how do I set up two-factor authentication? What should I do if I think I've been hacked? Do I need Cyber Essentials Plus? The AI Advisor is included in all plans including the free tier.

Does Cyber Nova AI work on mobile?

Yes. The platform is fully responsive and works on mobile browsers. We recommend using it on a desktop or laptop for the initial assessment and task review, but you can access all features on a phone or tablet.

Will using Cyber Nova AI give me Cyber Essentials certification?

No. Cyber Essentials certification is issued by NCSC-approved certification bodies after a formal assessment process. Cyber Nova AI helps you understand the five controls, assess your current position, and work through what you need to do to meet the standard. Many businesses use the platform to prepare for formal certification — but the platform itself does not certify you.

My insurer / client / contract requires Cyber Essentials. Can Cyber Nova AI help?

Yes, as a preparation tool. The platform assesses you against the same five controls used in Cyber Essentials. Working through your task checklist brings you closer to meeting the standard. However, you will still need to go through an NCSC-approved certification body for formal certification. The Business Plan includes an exportable compliance report you can share with clients or insurers as a reference.

Does Cyber Nova AI cover Cyber Essentials Plus?

Cyber Essentials Plus involves a technical audit by an independent assessor — it goes beyond what a self-assessment platform can cover. Cyber Nova AI focuses on the foundational Cyber Essentials standard. Working through the platform is a solid first step before pursuing Cyber Essentials Plus.

We already have an IT company. Why do we need this?

Cyber Nova AI is complementary to IT support. Your IT company handles day-to-day technical maintenance. Cyber Nova AI gives you, as the business owner or manager, visibility of your security posture in language you can understand — without having to rely on your IT company to explain it. It also gives you an independent baseline you can refer to in conversations with your IT provider.

What data do you collect about me?

We collect your email address (for account creation and verification), the answers you provide in the security assessment, and the tasks you complete. We do not collect browsing data, device data, or any information beyond what you provide directly. Full details are in our Privacy Policy.

Do you sell my data?

No. We do not sell, share, or rent your data to any third party. Your data is used only to generate your Security Score and task checklist.

Is Cyber Nova AI GDPR compliant?

Yes. Cyber Nova AI is built for UK users and processes personal data in compliance with UK GDPR. We collect only the data we need, we give you the right to access and delete your data, and we do not retain your data beyond what is necessary. See our Privacy Policy for full details.

Can I delete my account?

Yes. You can request account deletion at any time by contacting support@cybernovaai.co.uk. We will delete your account and all associated data within 30 days.

What is the early adopter offer?

The early adopter offer gives you Premium Individual at £1/month — locked in for 12 months from the date you register. After 12 months, you continue at the then-current price (standard price £3.99/month) or you can cancel. The offer is available while places last.

Can I cancel at any time?

Yes. There are no minimum contract periods. You can cancel your subscription at any time from your account settings. You keep access to the Premium features until the end of the billing period you've paid for.

How does the Business Plan work for teams?

The Business Plan is priced per organisation at £29/month. You can invite team members, assign tasks by role, and view a combined team Security Score. Each team member has their own login — no shared passwords.

Do you offer annual billing?

Annual billing is on our roadmap. It is not currently available.

How do I get help if I have a problem?

Email us at support@cybernovaai.co.uk. We aim to respond to all enquiries within one business day. The AI Advisor can also answer most questions about cybersecurity concepts and how to complete specific tasks.

I've forgotten my password. What do I do?

Use the "Forgot password?" link on the login page. We'll send a reset link to your registered email address.