Shielding your company from cyber threats is more crucial than ever, with cybercrime expected to cost $10.5 trillion globally in 2025. With that eye-watering figure in mind, it's fair to say that cybersecurity measures are not just beneficial - they're critical.
That's why in this article, we're tackling the Cyber Essentials Plus Certification, what it is, where it came from, and how it can benefit your business. (Already have the certification in place? Head to our most recent update on the framework).
This certification - aimed at targeting the most common cyber threats - resulted in 80% fewer cyber insurance claims for UK companies with the cert, according to the NCSC’s Annual Review in 2023.
Whether you're a small business or a large corporation, understanding and maximising the benefits of this certification can drastically improve your cyber operations - and in this article, we'll provide the first steps to putting it in place.
We'll cover:
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What is Cyber Essentials Plus Certification?
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How did the Cyber Essentials Plus Certification come about?
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What does the Cyber Essentials Plus Certification include?
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How long does Cyber Essentials Plus Certification last?
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What are the benefits of the Cyber Essentials Plus Certification?
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Who is eligible for Cyber Essentials Plus Certification?
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How to get Cyber Essentials Plus Certification
Let's start with the basics.
What is the Cyber Essentials Plus Certification
The Cyber Essentials Plus certification is a comprehensive cybersecurity scheme that goes beyond the basics to offer a higher level of assurance against cyber threats. It involves a thorough, hands-on technical assessment conducted by a certification body under the governance of IASME, ensuring that rigorous cybersecurity standards are not just claimed but demonstrably achieved.
While the standard Cyber Essentials certification provides a self-assessment approach to help you understand and implement necessary security controls, the Plus certification takes it even further. It requires an independent technical evaluation carried out to verify that your protections against threats are truly robust and efficient.
This certification is highly beneficial for any organisation, but particularly for those dealing with sensitive data or seeking government contracts. By attaining Cyber Essentials Plus, companies can prove their commitment to security, while safeguarding against common cyber harms.
How did the Cyber Essentials Plus Certification come about?
The journey of the Cyber Essentials Plus Certification began with a pressing need for robust cybersecurity practices within businesses in the UK. Recognising the increase of cyber harms, the UK Government introduced the Cyber Essentials scheme in 2014 to empower businesses to fight cyberattacks more effectively.
This initiative was part of a larger national strategy to bolster the nation against cybersecurity threats and provide a clear cybersecurity framework. Cyber Essentials offered the foundations, while Cyber Essentials Plus advanced these provisions by incorporating a thorough, hands-on technical audit.
This dual approach ensured that businesses not only implemented baseline cybersecurity measures but also demonstrated effectiveness through rigorous assessment. Over time, the consistency and reliability of Cyber Essentials Plus have garnered trust from companies, making it an essential component for businesses aiming to improve their cyber defences.
What does the Cyber Essentials Plus Certification include?
The Cyber Essentials Plus Certification is tailored to provide a robust framework for bolstering your cybersecurity infrastructure. When you opt for this certification, you're not just ticking boxes - you're engaging in an in-depth assessment conducted by a qualified, external certification body governed by IASME, an industry standard for cybersecurity certifications.
Hands-on technical assessment
One of the pivotal elements of Cyber Essentials Plus is its mandatory hands-on technical assessment. This thorough examination involves real-world testing of your security measures, ensuring that they're not just operational on paper but effective in practical scenarios. Unlike Cyber Essentials, which is a self-assessment, Cyber Essentials Plus goes further, encompassing an on-site audit carried out by these outside experts. This process dives deeper into areas such as system configurations and patch management and includes vulnerability scans that may reveal potential weaknesses before they become threats.
Organisational structure
Cyber Essentials Plus also examines your organisation's protective barriers against common cybersecurity threats. This includes evaluating firewall and internet gateways, making sure they're configured to prevent unauthorised access, and assessing malware protection to ensure your defences are up-to-speed with current threats. By taking these steps, not only do you increase your resistance to cyberattacks, but you also qualify for potential benefits such as reduced insurance premiums.
How long does Cyber Essentials Plus Certification last?
Once you've succeeded in achieving the Cyber Essentials Plus certification, it's crucial to remember that its validity extends over a 12-month period. Essentially, this certification isn't a one-time accomplishment but rather focuses on a continuous commitment to cybersecurity standards. To ensure that your company remains safe against threats, you will need to renew your certification annually.
The process of renewal isn't just a repetition but an opportunity to reassess and refine your security measures, ensuring resilience against new and emerging threats. This yearly cycle of evaluation and improvement can also provide your clients and partners with ongoing assurance that you're dedicated to protecting sensitive information.
With this in mind, plan strategically for this annual renewal by keeping track of your certificate's expiration date. By doing so, you not only protect your business but also continue to build upon your reputation as a cyber-secure company.
What are the benefits of the Cyber Essentials Plus Certification?
Gaining a Cyber Essentials Plus Certification brings a host of benefits, from improved cybersecurity practices to an enhanced position within the market itself.
Let's explore key benefits one by one.
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Competitive Edge: Cyber Essentials Plus can - and will - give your business an edge over competitors who aren't certified.
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Market Trust: This certification is a visual testament that you adhere to rigorous cybersecurity standards, fostering trust with clients and stakeholders in the process.
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Government Contracts: Many government contracts require this certification as a compliance benchmark, making it essential if you aim to engage in public sector work.
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Peace of Mind: Knowing your business has undergone a thorough security audit can provide peace of mind, allowing you to focus on growth without the imminent fear of cyber threats.
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Fortifies Defenses: By enhancing your security measures, this certification ensures your defences are robust enough to withstand common cyber threats.
Beyond the above benefits, with Cyber Essentials Plus, you will successfully implement five key controls:
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Access control
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Firewalls and routers
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Patch management
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Malware protection
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Secure configuration
These elements are tailored to work together, creating a comprehensive defence strategy that is both layered and resilient. This structured reinforcement is what will ultimately set your company apart, giving you a reliable shield against potential threats.
Who is eligible for Cyber Essentials Plus Certification?
If you're wondering whether your company is eligible for the Cyber Essentials Plus Certification, you're in good company. This certification is designed with flexibility in mind, making it accessible to a wide range of businesses. Whether you operate a large corporation or a burgeoning start-up, as long as your entity is looking to enhance its cybersecurity framework, you can aim for this certification.
The primary requirement is that you should first achieve Cyber Essentials Certification. This initial achievement lays the groundwork for Cyber Essentials Plus, making it a necessary prerequisite. Once you've ticked this off your list, you can embark on obtaining the Plus certification, which involves a more thorough examination of your cybersecurity infrastructure.
It's worth noting that this certification is particularly crucial for businesses handling sensitive data, especially those hoping to collaborate with government entities or hold government contracts.
How to get Cyber Essentials Plus Certification
Obtaining the Cyber Essentials Plus Certification involves several key steps which ensure that your company meets the required cybersecurity standards. First, you must successfully achieve the Cyber Essentials Certification. This forms the foundational layer of compliance, encompassing basic cybersecurity practices. Upon achieving this, you can move forward to the more advanced Cyber Essentials Plus Certification.
The process commences with selecting a certified body to conduct your assessment. This certified body will perform a hands-on technical evaluation of your systems, ensuring that your cybersecurity defences meet the heightened requirements of the Cyber Essentials Plus standard. It's crucial to work closely with these assessors, as they provide guidance and recommendations throughout the process.
Next, you'll undergo a comprehensive technical review. Unlike the self-assessment questionnaire for the basic level, Cyber Essentials Plus requires a thorough audit and hands-on testing. This testing could include internal vulnerability assessments and simulations to check how well your defences hold against real-world threats. This phase is rigorous and designed to provide a robust assessment of your current cybersecurity measures.
Importantly, this certification is not a one-time achievement. Companies will need to maintain their cybersecurity practices to uphold certification status, as Cyber Essentials Plus must be renewed annually.
Conclusion
Embarking on the journey to becoming Cyber Essentials Plus certified can be a game-changer for businesses. By implementing robust cybersecurity controls, you’re not just ticking a compliance box; you're making a strategic investment in safeguarding your business’s digital assets and enhancing customer trust. In a world where data breaches are increasingly common, this certification distinguishes companies as leaders in security, showcasing their commitment to cyber-secure standards.
Exploring Cyber Essentials Plus Certification? Not sure where to start? As UK-focused Managed IT Services providers, we're experts in all things cyber.
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