Become Cyber Secure with Cyber Essentials
We are delighted to have recently completed our Cyber Essentials Accreditation and are now helping several customers achieve theirs too.
This is a government-backed scheme that will help protect your organisation, whatever its size, against a whole range of the most common cyber-attacks.
With Cyber hackers becoming more intelligent and adapting to many counter-hacking measures, there has never been a better time to become Cyber Essentials certified.
The Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2020 reports that the nature of cyber-attacks has changed over the years. Since 2017 the number of businesses experiencing phishing attacks has jumped from 72% to 86%, although there has been a drop in businesses experiencing viruses or other malware attacks, from 33% to 16%.
The Cyber Essentials Accreditation process can seem a little daunting at first so if you would like any advice on how to go about achieving the accreditation or which level would suit you best, we’re here to help!
WHAT IS CYBER ESSENTIALS?
Cyber Essentials is a government-backed and industry-supported scheme that helps businesses protect themselves against the growing threat of cyber-attacks and provides a clear statement of the basic controls organisations should have in place to protect themselves.
It is the UK Government’s answer to a safer internet space for organisations of all sizes, across all sectors. Developed and operated by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), Cyber Essentials is considered the best first step to a more secure network, protecting you from 80% of the most basic cyber security breaches.
Gaining Cyber Essentials certification also enables organisations to showcase their credentials as trustworthy and secure when it comes to cyber security.
The certification defines a focused set of controls which provide clear guidance on basic cyber security for organisations of all sizes and offers a sound foundation of cyber security measures that all types of organisations can implement at a low cost.
- Cyber Essentials is a foundation level certification designed to provide a statement of the basic controls your organisation should have in place to mitigate the risk from common cyber threats.
- Cyber Essentials Plus is the highest level of certification offered under the Cyber Essentials scheme. It is a more rigorous test of your organisation’s cyber security systems where our cyber security experts carry out vulnerability tests to make sure that your organisation is protected against basic hacking and phishing attacks.
WHY BECOME CYBER ESSENTIALS CERTIFIED?
Cyber Essentials certification indicates that your organisation takes a proactive stance against malicious cyber-attacks. In addition, it offers a mechanism to demonstrate to customers, investors, insurers and others that you have taken the minimum yet essential precautions to protect your organisation against cyber threats.
The National Cyber Security Centre states that undertaking the Cyber Essentials certification process and implementing even one of the five controls required by Cyber Essentials can protect businesses from around 80% of attacks.
Other benefits of the certification include:
- Giving your customers reassurance that you are working to secure your IT against cyber attack
- Attracting new business with the promise you have cyber security measures in place
- Having a clear picture of your organisation’s cyber security level
- Some Government contracts require Cyber Essentials certification
COMPLY – PROTECT – PROMOTE
Cyber Essentials provides organisations with clarity on what essential security controls they need to have in place to reduce the risk posed by threats on the internet with low levels of technical capability.
- Comply and win more contracts with the MOD*
- Demonstrates control of your business network security
- Protect against 80% of common cyber attacks
- Protects your business from data theft
- Helps drive business efficiency and cost saving
- Promote your commitment to cyber security
* You need to have Cyber Essentials certification if you are looking to win contracts involving the transfer or generation of Ministry of Defence Identifiable Information (MODII).
WHY CYBER ESSENTIALS IS IMPORTANT FOR SMES
No matter how small your organisation is, you are likely to be connected to a possible target of a cyber-attack. Suppliers, third-party vendors and larger organisations are all part of wider ecosystems which are interconnected with each other.
The impact of a cyber security breach will be felt all the way down the supply chain to SMEs and microbusinesses. Therefore, organisations need to ensure they are not the weakest link in the supply chain by evaluating their threat profile and implementing strategies and employee training in cyber security. This can be difficult for organisations that are just starting out.
WHAT DOES IT COST?
The basic Cyber Essentials package includes access to the online self-assessment questionnaire, Cyber Essentials branding for your business (to include on your website, emails etc), as well as Cyber Essentials certification valid for 12 months upon successful application. This costs £300 + VAT.
Cyber Essentials Plus offers extensive support throughout the Cyber Essentials application process. On top of the Cyber Essentials certification – valid for 12 months – and the branding for promotional use, your organisation will receive dedicated helpdesk support, on-site assessment in your company HQ and absolutely no resubmission fees. The price for Cyber Essentials Plus is £2500 + VAT.
