When it comes to improving your organisation’s cyber security, the UK government’s Cyber Essentials scheme provides an accessible and effective framework. There are two levels of certification available: Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus.
Both certifications aim to protect organisations against the most common cyber threats, but they differ in scope and the level of scrutiny involved. Deciding which certification is best for your organisation can be challenging, but a Cyber Essential assessor plays a vital role in guiding you through the process.
Understanding Cyber Essentials
The Cyber Essentials certification is an entry-level standard that outlines basic security measures every business should implement to mitigate common online threats. It focuses on five key controls:
Firewalls: Protecting internet gateways from unauthorised access.
Secure Configuration: Ensuring systems are configured with the best security settings.
Access Control: Limiting user access to only necessary data.
Malware Protection: Preventing harmful software from entering the organisation’s systems.
Patch Management: Keeping software up to date with the latest security patches.
To achieve Cyber Essentials, an organisation typically completes a self-assessment questionnaire, which is reviewed by a Cyber Essential assessor. This certification is relatively straightforward and is ideal for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) looking for a quick, cost-effective way to demonstrate basic cyber security compliance.
So what Is Cyber Essentials Plus?
Cyber Essentials Plus goes a step further than Cyber Essentials by adding a hands-on technical verification stage to certification.
This will include an independent assessment of your systems by a qualified Cyber Essentials Plus assessor, who will perform internal and external vulnerability tests of your systems. They will also ensure your security controls are effectively implemented and working as intended.
Cyber Essentials vs Cyber Essentials Plus: The Key Differences
While both Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus share the same core framework, the difference lies in the level of testing. With Cyber Essentials Plus, the certification provides greater assurance because it has been independently verified rather than relying solely on self-assessment. This makes it a more rigorous process but also more valuable, particularly for larger businesses or those operating in highly regulated industries.
How a Cyber Essential Assessor Can Help
Choosing between Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus depends on several factors, including the size of your organisation, the sensitivity of the data you handle, and the level of assurance you want to offer your customers and stakeholders. A Cyber Essential assessor can help you navigate these choices.
- Assessing Your Current Security Posture: A Cyber Essential assessor will begin by evaluating your existing security controls and identifying any gaps. They can provide expert advice on whether your current defences are robust enough for Cyber Essentials or whether the enhanced testing of Cyber Essentials Plus would be more appropriate. For organisations that already have strong security practices in place, Cyber Essentials Plus might be the right choice.
- Cost-Benefit Analysis: While Cyber Essentials is less expensive and quicker to achieve, Cyber Essentials Plus offers greater credibility due to its independent testing process. Cyber Essentials consultancy can guide you in weighing the costs against the benefits for your organisation’s goals and industry. For some businesses, the extra expense of Cyber Essentials Plus may be justified by the increased trust and security assurance it offers – especially if your organisation needs to prove its cyber security credentials to clients, partners, regulators or as part of tenders.
- Compliance and Industry Requirements: Certain industries, especially those that handle sensitive data, may require Cyber Essentials Plus as a minimum standard. Your assessor can help you determine whether Cyber Essentials Plus is a necessary step for meeting regulatory compliance, or if the base-level Cyber Essentials certification is sufficient for your business.
- Future-Proofing Your Cyber Security While Cyber Essentials provides a good foundation, Cyber Essentials Plus ensures your systems are tested and verified, reducing the likelihood of vulnerabilities going unnoticed. A Cyber Essential assessor will advise you on how to future-proof your cyber security, especially in a rapidly changing threat landscape.
Cyber Essentials vs Cyber Essentials Plus: Making The Choice
Deciding between Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus is not always straightforward. By working with Akita’s Cyber Essential assessors, we can help evaluate your business needs, offer practical insights, and help you determine the most appropriate level of certification.
Whether your goal is to meet basic compliance or to demonstrate a higher level of cyber security assurance, the right assessor can ensure your business is well-protected and ready to meet today’s cyber security challenges.
Akita has in-house assessors for Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus. To discuss the right certification for your organisation, please get in touch:
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