Cyber Essentials Plus Renewal For A Long-Standing Connectivity Provider

Cyber Essentials Plus Renewal

Akita worked with a connectivity company for its Cyber Essentials Plus renewal which was due mid-way through the year at the end of June.

Our Cyber Essentials consultants ensured the organisation passed each checkpoint of the renewal at the correct time to ensure they didn’t overlap their renewals, in turn maximising their investment in Cyber Essentials.

Delivering A Precise Timeline For The Renewal Process

The organisation’s Cyber Essentials Plus accreditation expired in March, giving us a three-month window to perform the Plus audit and pass the Basic certification. Our experts completed the Basic audit but didn’t submit or pass it until they were ready for the Cyber Essentials Plus renewal.

Initially, we selected a suitable device audit scope from their inventory; and decided on the number of devices running on the same operating systems.

Once the scope was decided our consultants passed the organisation for Cyber Essentials in May, leaving our experts six weeks to pass them for the Cyber Essentials Plus renewal.

Company Device Audit

The device audit consists of two scans conducted at 6 weeks, and 2 weeks out from the final audit date. These scans allow us to firstly identify and remediate vulnerabilities and secondly ensure those remediations and recommendations have been taken on board after a month of normal operations.

Our consultants started with a 6-week scan – this allowed us to determine how many vulnerabilities needed remediation before the final audit date. Off the back of this scan, our consultants addressed any bulk vulnerabilities there and then.

Down the line further Akita cyber security experts conducted a 2-week scan – which allowed us to ensure all vulnerabilities that had been identified in the previous scan had not arisen again and any new, smaller vulnerabilities could be remediated.

On the final audit day, we prepared all machines and sent the assessor an evidence booklet, containing MFA documentation, mobile devices and vulnerability patch management.

This significantly sped up the audit process, meaning that on the audit day, minimal disruption was caused for the organisation. The audit itself was completely quickly and efficiently, with most of the being work on their servers. Our experts were able to cause minimal disruption for end users, quickly testing their devices in a matter of minutes to confirm suitability for Cyber Essentials Plus certification.

Results And Benefits

The organisation passed the Cyber Essentials Plus renewal audit which we then held off submitting until the day before their renewal date to ensure maximum value for their investment.

Holding Cyber Essentials Plus continues to provide value for the organisation, giving them easier access to the business deals they want. Additionally, the accreditation showcases to their key clients and stakeholders their commitment to employing robust cyber security measures.

Akita made the renewal process as efficient and pain-free as possible, whilst also focusing on financial optimisation. The organisation was happy with our service and plans to renew with us again next time.