What on earth is Cyber Essentials?
What on earth is Cyber Essentials?
Over the last couple of years, we've seen a real influx of businesses asking us to help them achieve Cyber Essentials certification — and it's easy to see why. But if you've never heard of it before, you'd be forgiven for wondering what on earth it actually is.
So, what is Cyber Essentials?
Cyber Essentials is a government-backed certification framework that benchmarks a business's IT and cybersecurity practices against a set of defined standards. It was developed by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) in partnership with industry, and it's designed to help businesses of all sizes protect themselves against the most common cyber threats.
Once you pass, you receive a Cyber Essentials badge — a recognised mark that shows your clients, suppliers and partners that your business takes cybersecurity seriously and meets the expected standards.
Do I actually need it?
This is the question we get asked most often, and the honest answer is — it depends.
If you're looking to work with certain vendors, suppliers or government bodies, then yes, it can be absolutely essential. Many larger organisations now require their supply chain to hold Cyber Essentials before they'll work with them, so if winning those contracts matters to you, it's worth pursuing.
But even if you don't have a specific commercial reason for getting certified, it's still a genuinely useful exercise. The free online self-assessment questionnaire alone is a great way to understand how your business currently stacks up when it comes to cybersecurity. You might be surprised by what you find.
What about Cyber Essentials Plus?
There are two levels to the certification — Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus. The Plus level involves an independent technical audit of your systems, rather than just a self-assessment, and carries more weight as a result. We can help you with both.
Is it getting harder to achieve?
The framework does evolve over time and the standards have been getting stricter — but that doesn't mean it's out of reach. For most small businesses, with the right support, achieving Cyber Essentials is very achievable and the process doesn't have to be painful.
How can Staple IT help?
We guide businesses through the entire Cyber Essentials process from start to finish — helping you understand the requirements, identify any gaps and get everything in order before you submit. Whether you're aiming for the standard certification or going for Plus, we'll be with you every step of the way.
If you'd like to find out more or get started, get in touch with us today for a free, no-obligation conversation.