What is Cyber Essentials?
Cyber Essentials is a cybersecurity certification designed by the government to give organisations a standardised level of protection.
There are five security controls with criteria to address cybersecurity effectively and mitigate the risk from cyber threats:
- Firewalls
- Secure configuration
- User access control
- Malware protection
- Security update management
Businesses must meet the Cyber Essentials IT infrastructure requirements in all five areas to become accredited.
The 5 benefits of Cyber Essentials
1. Improve your security processes
Once accredited, you’ll be less at risk of GDPR non-compliance and associated fines, and protected against 98.5% of the most common security threats.
Cyber Essentials provides a framework to improve your internal processes. The five categories of criteria act as a step-by-step guide to up your cybersecurity game. It’s easy to follow and gives you processes to follow that’ll set you up for future success. Save time, money, and stress by getting organised.
2. Build trust with customers
With so many high-profile and damaging cyber attacks worldwide, customers are rightly nervous about who to share data with and want to know their personal information will be safe.
Having a government-backed accreditation lets customers know that you operate your business to a good standard of cybersecurity. This provides the reassurance they need to buy from you with confidence.
Over time, you’ll build broader brand recognition and improve your reputation, too.
3. Bid for government contracts
If you want to work with organisations in the public sector and bid for contracts, you’ll need a Cyber Essentials accreditation.
This is a huge opportunity to work on large-scale projects and form long-lasting positive relationships with public sector organisations.
4. Be on a trusted register of suppliers
For the 12 months your certificate is valid, your company’s name will be on the NCSC website. This makes it easy for potential customers to check your cybersecurity credentials and validate your business.
5. Strengthen your supply chain
It’s not just important for your customers to trust you. Your partners, suppliers, and investors need to have confidence in your ability to operate safely, too. Having a recognised certification validates your processes and means they know you operate with their best interests at heart.
The Cyber Essentials scheme is a UK cybersecurity certification that outlines the security procedures a company should have in place to secure their data. Cyber Essentials is highly recommended for SMEs because this certification protects you against 98.5% of the most common cyber threats.
Ever since the Cyber Essentials scheme launched in 2014, companies have used it, and similar cybersecurity certifications, to showcase their trustworthiness and meet industry regulations. Conscientious companies that complete such schemes get listed on a searchable register of certified businesses and organisations. But the truth is that the journey to cybersecurity compliance isn’t as simple as filling out an application. The route can wind from the basics of Cyber Essentials to the independent auditing of Cyber Essentials Plus. Some organisations even choose to tackle the challenge of ISO 27001 compliance.
How does your Business achieve Cyber Essentials Certification?
To become certified then, there will be some work to be done to your I.T. Security posture to satisfy all the five security controls. This will mean some one-time project work, and some ongoing licence costs with Microsoft 365, and our Partner company – CyberSmart.
CyberSmart Certification
Tailored for businesses looking to build a strong cybersecurity baseline. It includes Cyber Essentials or Cyber Essentials Plus certification, proven to protect against a wide range of the most common cyber-attacks. This is perfect for organisations looking to demonstrate their commitment to cybersecurity by achieving government-endorsed standards that certify protections are in place.
CyberSmart CE / Active Protect Bundle
What’s included?
- Cyber Essentials
- Active Protect
- Security checks
- Awareness training
- Policy Management
- £100K Cyber Insurance
CyberSmart are the UK’s leading provider of Cyber Essentials certification. We’ll have you certified fast. No jargon. No endless back and forth. And all the expert guidance you need to pass first time. This package builds on the strong foundation offered by Cyber Essentials with CyberSmart Active Protect, our all-in-one cybersecurity monitoring, optimisation, training, and insurance solution.
24/7 vulnerability monitoring – across mobile and desktop – ensures continuous peace of mind, while awareness training and policy management give employees the knowledge and skills to recognise and counter common cyber threats. Complemented with £100K Cyber Insurance, this package helps businesses maintain continuous compliance, build resilience against cyber incidents, and move towards complete cyber confidence.
CyberSmart Complete
CyberSmart Complete combines certification with proactive monitoring and advanced data protection. A strong security foundation is created by Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus and built on with 24/7 monitoring across mobile and desktop from CyberSmart Active Protect. Active Protect also offers cyber awareness training to help employees recognise and counter threats. Its policy management tool ensures cybersecurity policies are current and effective. In addition, our Privacy Toolbox provides essential tools for managing data privacy. With £250K Cyber Insurance, this package offers the ultimate in protection and preparedness, enabling a business to operate with complete cyber confidence.