Cyber Essentials is a UK government-backed certification scheme designed to help organisations protect themselves against common cyber threats. It provides a straightforward framework for improving cybersecurity, ensuring businesses have essential protections in place to guard against 80% of the most frequent internet-based attacks.

What Does Cyber Essentials Involve?

The scheme focuses on five key technical controls that every organisation should implement:

  1. Boundary Firewalls and Internet Gateways: Protecting networks from unauthorised access.
  2. Secure Configuration: Ensuring devices and software are set up securely.
  3. Access Control: Limiting who can access sensitive systems and data.
  4. Malware Protection: Using anti-malware tools to prevent infections.
  5. Patch Management: Keeping software and systems up to date to fix vulnerabilities.

Levels of Certification

There are two levels of Cyber Essentials certification:

  1. Cyber Essentials (Standard): A self-assessment where organisations answer a questionnaire about their cybersecurity practices, verified by an assessor.
  2. Cyber Essentials Plus: Includes everything in the standard level but adds an independent technical audit to test systems for vulnerabilities.

Benefits of Cyber Essentials

  • Improved Security: Helps organisations reduce the risk of cyberattacks by addressing basic vulnerabilities.
  • Customer Trust: Demonstrates to clients and partners that cybersecurity is a priority, boosting confidence in your organisation.
  • Government Contracts: Certification is often required for bidding on contracts involving sensitive or personal data.
  • Lower Insurance Premiums: Some insurers offer reduced rates for certified organisations.

Who Is It For?

Cyber Essentials is suitable for organisations of all sizes and sectors, from small businesses to large enterprises. It’s particularly beneficial for those looking to strengthen their digital defences or meet industry compliance requirements.

Certification Process

To achieve Cyber Essentials certification:

  1. Define the scope of your IT systems that will be assessed.
  2. Complete the self-assessment questionnaire via the certification portal.
  3. Submit your answers for review by an accredited assessor (for Cyber Essentials Standard).
  4. For Cyber Essentials Plus, undergo an independent technical audit of your systems.

Why Is Cyber Essentials Important?

Cyber threats are constantly evolving, and even basic attacks can cause significant disruption if defences are weak. Cyber Essentials helps organisations build a solid foundation for cybersecurity, reducing their risk exposure and improving resilience against common threats like phishing, malware, and ransomware.

In Summary

Cyber Essentials is more than just a certification; it’s a proactive step towards creating a safer digital environment for organisations and their customers. By implementing its simple yet effective controls, businesses can protect themselves from cyberattacks while demonstrating their commitment to cybersecurity standards.

Next Step

Engage with Somniac Security, we can help you build and maintain the appropriate strategies and processes for your organisation which enable you to effectively manage your cybersecurity risks.  Contact us at info@somniacsecurity.com today to help safeguard your business against tomorrow’s challenges!