How Cyber Essentials helps improve your security posture

With the threat of cyber attacks and breaches constantly on the rise, implementing a strong security posture has never been more important.
 

Strong security starts with the basics. Becoming Cyber Essentials certified is a great way for you to assess your organisation’s security and identify areas for improvement.
 

1. What is Cyber Essentials?
 

Cyber Essentials is a UK Government backed scheme which enables you to demonstrate to your customers that you have taken the necessary steps to mitigate risk and keep your infrastructure and data secure.
 

Launched by the UK Governments National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), the Cyber Essentials scheme highlights the 5 basic security controls that all businesses should be implementing. These are:
 

• Firewalls
   
• Secure Configuration
   
• User Access Control
   
• Malware Protection
   
• Patch Management
   

Achieving the Cyber Essentials or Cyber Essentials Plus badges demonstrates that your business has implemented basic security measures and is taking the necessary steps to minimise your attack vectors.
 

2. Cyber Essentials Vs Cyber Essentials Plus
 

Cyber Essentials
 

Recommended for those businesses which require a framework to begin their cyber security journey. Becoming Cyber Essentials certified involves completing a self-assessment questionnaire to verify that you have implemented base-level security measures within your organisation to protect your income, resources, clients and reputation.
 

Cyber Essentials Plus
 

Cyber Essentials Plus is a highly regarded certification, suitable for businesses of all sizes that are looking for a real improvement in their existing cyber security controls. Whilst it provides all the benefits of the standard Cyber Essentials certification, it also includes an on-site technical verification of your security controls, completed by an experienced security consultant.
 

3. How the Cyber Essentials certifications benefit you
 

Help you defend against common cyber attacks – The majority of cyber-attacks exploit basic weaknesses in organisations such as unpatched software, or firewalls that aren’t properly configured. Often, these types of attacks are simple to defend against and becoming Cyber Essentials certified demonstrates you have put the necessary security controls in place to guard against them.
 

Enable you to bid for Government contracts – It is now mandatory for suppliers to be compliant with the Cyber Essentials scheme, to be eligible to bid for UK Government contracts that involve certain technical services or handling of sensitive information.
 

Demonstrates to customers & vendors that you take cyber security seriously – The Cyber Essentials certification demonstrates to your customers, partners and investors that you take the security of your systems seriously. This can be particularly beneficial if you are storing personal information (such as medical records or financial information) or hosting other commercially sensitive data. This shows your customers that you take the integrity of their data seriously building trust.
 

4. Are you ready to start your Cyber Essentials journey?
 

Nviron’s approach is to simplify the journey to becoming Cyber Essentials certified. We have years of experience in implementing the processes and technical controls required to meet the standard and we can help you quickly bridge the gaps in documentation and technical solutions. To discuss your Cyber Essentials or Cyber Essentials Plus requirements in more detail, please Click Here to speak to one of our specialists. Alternatively, existing customers can contact their designated Account Manager.