How Cyber Essentials Protects Your Business from Cyber Attacks

Cyber attacks are a growing threat to businesses of all sizes, and the consequences of a successful attack can be devastating. It is estimated that the global cost of cyber crime will reach $10.5 trillion USD by 2025 – that’s 250% higher than in 2015. From data breaches to financial losses, the impact of a cyber attack can be far-reaching and long-lasting. 

Fortunately, there is a way to protect your business from these threats: Cyber Essentials certification. In this article, we’ll explore how Cyber Essentials can protect your business from cyber attacks.

What is Cyber Essentials Certification?

Cyber Essentials is a UK government-backed scheme that helps organisations to protect against common online threats. It incorporates 5 key cyber security controls, which are:

• Boundary firewalls and internet gateways
• Secure configuration
• Access control
• Malware protection
• Patch management

Organisations that meet the Cyber Essentials requirements are awarded certification, demonstrating their commitment to cyber security. 

Upon completion of Cyber Essentials, businesses have a 3-month window to go on to complete Cyber Essentials Plus. This advanced certification is awarded when your cyber controls are independently audited by a Cyber Essentials Certification Body such as Assure Technical, to verify they are working as they should to protect your systems from cyber attacks.

How Does Cyber Essentials Protect Your Business?

The 2023 UK Government cyber security breaches survey reported that in the last 12 months, 32% of businesses and 24% of charities could recall experiencing either a breach or attack. Cyber Essentials is a fundamental tool that helps to protect your business by providing a framework for best practices in cyber security.

By following the guidelines in the scheme, you can significantly reduce your risk of a successful cyber attack. For example, by implementing strong passwords and regularly updating your software, you can make it more difficult for hackers to gain access to your systems.

The Benefits of Cyber Essentials Certification

Not only does Cyber Essentials help to protect your business from cyber attacks, but it also has other benefits. For example, it can provide reassurance to your customers and partners that you take cyber security seriously. This can help to build trust and credibility, particularly for businesses that handle sensitive data such as financial information. 

Additionally, Cyber Essentials certification is a prerequisite to all UK Government contracts and a growing number of commercial supply chains, so it is a key enabler in retaining existing clients and gaining new business.

Moreover, it can help reduce your insurance premiums and comes with £25,000 complimentary Cyber liability insurance if your organisation has less than £20m turnover (additional terms apply).

How to Get Certified in Cyber Essentials

Getting certified in Cyber Essentials is a straightforward process. It involves implementing the best practices covered in the Cyber Essentials scheme, such as updating your software and ensuring that your systems are configured securely.

Cyber Essentials

You can apply for Cyber Essentials certification by completing a detailed online questionnaire about your cyber controls. A Cyber Essentials Certification Body will will then review your responses and verify that you meet the scheme’s requirements.

You can choose to invest the time to research the requirements of the standard independently and update your systems in advance. Alternatively, you can ease your resource burden and avoid unnecessary investment by choosing a Certification Body that will provide tailored guidance on how to comply with Cyber Essentials and improve the cyber security stance of your organisation.

Cyber Essentials Plus

Cyber Essentials Plus involves a Cyber Essentials Certification Body carrying out a series of Government approved vulnerability scans and tests that verify that your organisation’s IT systems are working as they should to effectively protect you from cyber attacks. 

In the majority of cases, vulnerabilities will be identified during this process that require remediation. For this reason, it is wise to check what level of support you will receive from your chosen Certification Body to help you make these adjustments.

How to choose a Cyber Essentials Certification Body

In order to the Cyber Essentials certification process as straightforward as possible, consider the following steps:

• Choose a reputable, independent and well-established Certification Body
• Choose services that include support or consultancy to avoid any unnecessary investment in time or IT infrastructure
• Check the small print to check if there are additional charges for support or re-tests – In the vast majority of cases, anomalies are discovered during both the self assessment and Cyber Essentials Plus audit
• Don’t try to get everything perfect before you start the process – let your Certification Body guide you to achieve certification in the most pragmatic and cost-effective way

Assure Technical – Keeping Security Simple

Cyber Essentials doesn’t have to be a painful process. Here at Assure Technical, we make the process simple with our pragmatic, people-first approach. As we’ve certified hundreds of organisations with Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus certifications and have a verified 4.9* rating on Trustpilot, we know we can deliver the best service.

Short on time or not too sure where to start? 

With Assure Technical’s Cyber Essentials Supported Package, you’ll avoid up-front research and investment and pass the first time with the help of our pre-assessment review and feedback, unlimited remote support and quick turnarounds. 

Or you can let us handle everything so you certify quickly with minimal fuss with our Cyber Essentials Turnkey Solution. With this package, you’ll have a dedicated consultant who conducts a cyber audit and guides you through any required changes.  We’ll also complete the self-assessment questionnaire ready for your approval.

Conclusion

Cyber Essentials certification is critical in protecting your business against common online threats. By following the guidelines in the scheme, you can reduce your risk of a successful cyber attack and benefit from improved trust and credibility, increased business opportunities, and lower insurance premiums. 

So why not start your journey to Cyber Essentials certification today?

Here to help

Contact us today if you have any questions or need support with Cyber Essentials for your organisation. Our dedicated team of in-house cyber security experts are on hand to help you with all your security needs.

Assure Technical keep cyber security simple. We provide expertise with a personal touch – no cut corners, no jargon, no waffle, just straight-talking security solutions.