Cyber-attacks are on the rise, intending to disrupt operations, compromise sensitive data, and damage reputations. Many organisations are turning to robust security frameworks to safeguard their digital assets. One such framework is Cyber Essentials, a government-backed scheme in the UK designed to help businesses protect themselves against the most common cyber threats.
This article delves into Cyber Essentials as a Service, explaining what it is, the benefits it offers, and why your organisation should consider it.
Understanding Cyber Essentials
Before we explore Cyber Essentials as a Service, let’s understand what Cyber Essentials is, and its significance in the wider cybersecurity landscape.
What is Cyber Essentials?
Cyber Essentials is a UK government-backed certification scheme that helps businesses protect themselves against a range of common cyber threats. It was introduced in 2014 by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) (a part of GCHQ) and has since become a cornerstone of cybersecurity for UK businesses. The scheme is designed to be simple and cost-effective, providing organisations with a clear framework to bolster their cybersecurity defences.
The Two Levels of Cyber Essentials
Cyber Essentials: This is the basic level of certification, which involves a self-assessment questionnaire. The questions cover five key areas:
- Firewalls
- Secure configuration
- User access control
- Malware protection
- patch management.
Once the self-assessment is completed, an external certifying body reviews the responses and, if the organisation meets the criteria, awards the Cyber Essentials certification.
Cyber Essentials Plus: This is a more advanced level of certification. It includes all the requirements of Cyber Essentials but also involves a hands-on technical verification. An independent assessor tests the organisation’s systems to ensure that the security controls are effectively implemented and working as intended.
What is Cyber Essentials as a Service?
Cyber Essentials as a Service is a managed service offering that helps businesses achieve and maintain Cyber Essentials or Cyber Essentials Plus certification. Managed IT service providers, such as Mintivo, offer this service to guide organisations through the certification process, ensuring that all necessary steps are taken to meet the Cyber Essentials requirements.
By opting for Cyber Essentials as a Service, businesses can benefit from expert support and guidance, reducing the burden on internal IT teams and ensuring a smoother path to certification. This service is particularly beneficial for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that may not have dedicated cybersecurity resources or expertise.
What’s the process of Cyber Essentials as a Service?
Are you considering a Cyber Essentials accreditation, or wondering what’s involved in the process of getting a Cyber Essentials or Cyber Essentials Plus certificate? Here is what you can expect the process to be:
1. Initial assessment and gap analysis
The process begins with an initial assessment, where the managed service provider (MSP) evaluates the business’s current cybersecurity situation. This assessment identifies gaps in the existing security measures compared to the Cyber Essentials requirements. The MSP then provides a detailed report outlining the necessary steps to address these gaps, helping the organisation understand what changes are needed to achieve certification.
2. Implementation support
Once the gaps have been identified, the MSP will help the business implement the required security controls. This may involve configuring firewalls, ensuring secure settings for software and devices, setting up user access controls, deploying anti-malware solutions, and establishing a robust patch management process. The MSP ensures that all these elements are properly configured to meet Cyber Essentials standards.
3. Pre-assessment checks
Before the official certification process begins, you’ll undergo pre-assessment checks to ensure your business is fully prepared. This helps identify any lingering issues that could prevent successful certification, and by addressing these issues proactively, you’ll increase your chances of passing the certification on the first attempt.
4. Certification process management
Your MSP will manage the entire certification process, from submitting the self-assessment questionnaire to coordinating with the certifying body. For Cyber Essentials Plus, this also involves liaising with the independent assessor who will conduct the technical verification. The MSP acts as a liaison between the organisation and the certifying body, streamlining communication and ensuring that the process runs smoothly.
5. Ongoing compliance and support
Cyber Essentials certification is valid for one year before it must be renewed. Cyber Essentials as a Service typically includes ongoing support to help businesses maintain compliance throughout the year, monitoring their cybersecurity posture, providing updates on emerging threats, and assisting with the renewal process when the certification is due to expire.
This ongoing support keeps businesses compliant with Cyber Essentials requirements and protects against new and evolving cyber threats.
Benefits of Cyber Essentials as a Service for achieving an accreditation
Cyber Essentials as a Service offers several key benefits that make it an attractive option for businesses looking to achieve a Cyber Essentials certification.
Time and resource efficiency
Achieving Cyber Essentials certification can be a time-consuming process, especially for organisations that are unfamiliar with the requirements. Cyber Essentials as a Service streamlines the process, allowing organisations to focus on their core business activities while the MSP handles the certification process.
Improved cybersecurity
By adhering to the Cyber Essentials framework, businesses will significantly improve their cybersecurity. The security controls required by the scheme are designed to protect against the most common cyber threats, such as phishing attacks, malware infections, and unauthorised access. With Cyber Essentials as a Service, these controls are implemented effectively, reducing the risk of a successful cyber-attack.
Increased customer trust and competitive advantage
Cyber Essentials certification demonstrates a commitment to cybersecurity, which can improve reputation and increase customer trust. In fact, many businesses, particularly those in the public sector, require their suppliers to have Cyber Essentials certification as a minimum security standard.
Compliance with legal and regulatory requirements
For many businesses, a Cyber Essentials certification is not just a best practice but a legal or regulatory requirement. For example, companies that handle sensitive data or work with government contracts may be required to have Cyber Essentials certification. Cyber Essentials as a Service helps you meet these legal and regulatory requirements, reducing the risk of non-compliance and potential fines.
Choosing the right Cyber Essentials as a Service provider
Choosing the right Cyber Essentials as a Service provider is crucial to ensuring a successful certification process and ongoing cybersecurity compliance.
- Look for a provider with experience in cybersecurity and a proven track record of helping businesses achieve a Cyber Essentials certification. Your provider should have a deep understanding of the Cyber Essentials requirements and be able to provide expert guidance throughout the certification process.
- Make sure the provider offers a service that covers all aspects of the Cyber Essentials certification process, from initial assessment to ongoing support. This should include gap analysis, implementation support, pre-assessment checks, and certification process management.
- Effective communication is key to a successful Cyber Essentials certification process. Your provider should offer strong customer support and be responsive to your needs.
- Ask your provider about their success rate in helping businesses achieve Cyber Essentials certification. A high success rate is a good indicator of the provider’s expertise and ability to deliver results!
Cyber Essentials as a Service offers a practical and effective solution for businesses looking to enhance their cybersecurity posture and achieve Cyber Essentials certification. By leveraging the experience of experts such as Mintivo, you can navigate the certification process with confidence, ensuring that they meet the necessary requirements and protect themselves against common cyber threats.
