What is a Cyber Essentials?
Cyber Essentials is an industry-supported and government-backed scheme that helps businesses protect themselves against the threat of cyber-attacks. Developed and operated by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), Cyber Essentials certification enables organisations of all sizes across all sectors to showcase their credentials as secure and trustworthy when it comes to cyber security.
Cyber Essentials is a set of basic technical controls offering a sound foundation of cyber security measures organisations should put in place to protect themselves against a cyber-attack. Cyber Essentials demonstrates your commitment to cyber security to your suppliers and customers and reduces the financial threat a cyber attack would have on your company and operations.
Over 120,000 Cyber Essentials certificates have been awarded to charities, businesses, educational institutions and other organisations, and there are many benefits to your business of gaining Cyber Essentials certification. The scheme is also available to organisations outside the UK, improving global market competitiveness due to broader recognition and better cross-country collaboration.
What are the benefits of Cyber Essentials Certification?
There are many benefits to your business when you obtain Cyber Essentials certification:
- Companies that obtain Cyber Essentials certification can bid for government and public centre contracts.
- Reduced insurance premiums for cyber liability coverage.
- Cyber Essentials helps companies develop a healthy IT network and provides the tools and procedures required to operate resiliently.
- Reduced risk of cyber threats and vulnerabilities as the certification offers measures that prevent and resolve cyber-attacks.
- Improved compliance with data protection legislation and regulations.
- The scheme allows companies to work closely with professional managed service providers who specialise in IT operations, which is likely to strengthen other areas of digital performance.
- Increased security awareness amongst employees.
- Cyber Essentials requires ongoing measures to be in place even after achieving the status. Companies benefit from an enhanced reputation and creditability with customers, suppliers and partners by having standards to meet.
What are the five key Cyber Essentials pillars?
To achieve certification, a business needs to demonstrate that they have these five pillars of control implemented and are working effectively to stop a breach:
- Firewalls
- User access control
- Malware protection
- Patch management
- Secure configuration
What is the difference between Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus?
There are two levels of certification Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus. Cyber Essentials is a self-assessment where the applicant needs to answer questions that provide evidence you have the five technical pillars implemented.
Cyber Essentials Plus is a verified version of the Cyber Essentials self-assessment; an external assessor conducts the test and proves that the technical controls are in place. For more information about Cyber Essentials Plus, please visit our webpage.
Obtain Cyber Essentials Certification
Fusion Business Services have partnered with experts in cyber security who can help your business obtain Cyber Essentials Certification. To learn more about Cyber Essentials or to begin the certification process, please get in touch with us today by completing the short form on this page or by calling us on 0800 229 4020. We’ll pass your details over to our specialist partners, who will be in contact shortly.