With cyber attacks constantly causing issues to businesses and individuals, it is essential that your business protects itself. Cyber Essentials is that beginning step we recommend businesses take. Thousands of businesses complete the certification every year and it is crucial that necessary steps are taken to protect yourself against cyber attacks.
What Is Cyber Essentials?
Cyber Essentials is a government backed scheme that will help assess your organisation with the view of protecting your business against online cyber attacks. The scheme is an online self-assessment and helps businesses validate their cyber security. If passed, you receive a certificate, which can be proudly placed on your website. It helps demonstrate your commitment to cyber security and that you are safe and compliant. By law, the Cyber Essentials assessment must be conducted every year.
What Is Different About Cyber Essentials Plus?
Cyber Essentials Plus is different in that it has a more hands-on technical verification approach than Cyber Essentials. The Plus assessment is essentially more comprehensive and vigorous. The assessment can take from few weeks to a few months to pass. If you fail, you will receive informative feedback as to how you can improve your security measures internally. Additionally, larger businesses will take longer than smaller businesses to finish the assessment.
If you currently have Cyber Essentials and would like to upgrade to Cyber Essentials Plus, you can easily do this. However, your certification must not be older than 3 months. A Cyber Essentials Plus certification must be completed within the first 3 months of receiving your Cyber Essentials certification.
How Much Does It Cost?
The cost of the scheme does vary according to the size of your company. Below are details of current prices as of November 2024:
· 0-9 Employees = £320 + VAT
· 10-49 Employees = £440 + VAT
· 50-249 Employees = £500 + VAT
· 250+ Employees = £600 + VAT.
Larger businesses will require additional support from an IT support provider to conduct security auditing. Please contact us today for more information.
Want to know if your competitors have Cyber Essentials?
You can find out if your competitors have the certification or not by searching their name in the Cyber Essentials Certificate Search. Any individual or business can check if a company has been certified in the last 12 months. This provides more reason to become certified as the information is easily available to all. If your competitors do have the certification, then you don’t want to be left behind. Alternatively, if they don’t have it, then it’s a chance to remain ahead. Once accredited, most businesses display their Cyber Essentials certification on the header or footer of their website. It shows their commitment to protecting their business and also to their client’s data.
Does your business need to be Cyber Essentials certified?
We highly recommend it as the scheme helps safeguard your business. It could attract more clients, as it demonstrates you are taking proactive steps to protect your business and your customers. In addition, if your company is thinking of applying to certain government contracts, then you will be required to be Cyber Essentials certified. More information generally can be found on our Cyber Essentials page.
The Cyber Essentials Readiness Tool
The Cyber Essentials Readiness Tool asks businesses several questions relating to the main criteria of the scheme. This is to prepare them before conducting the certification.
Sarah Lyons, NCSC Deputy Director for Economy and Society, said:
“The Cyber Essentials Readiness Tool is a fantastic starting point for organisations who are unsure about where to start their preparation for Cyber Essentials certification.
“Not only does the tool highlight areas where more cyber security controls need to be put in place, it also provides guidance on how to implement them.
“From catering to construction, everyone should care about their businesses’ online security and I’d encourage people to take advantage of the new tool.”
How Cambridge IT Security can help
Cambridge IT Security can provide help and guidance on establishing protections related to all aspects in this article. If you require assistance with Cyber Essentials, we would be more than happy to help. We would love to hear from you and are happy to answer any questions you have concerning cyber essentials. Please do not hesitate to contact us on 01223 921 300, or email us at ask@cambridgeitsecurity.com