Cyber security is paramount for organisations and having certification to prove commitment and improve intelligence is key. Two prominent certifications that organisations can find themselves considering are Cyber Essentials vs ISO 27001.
While both are designed to enhance an organisation’s cybersecurity posture, they differ significantly in scope, benefits, and accreditation processes. Below we explain the differences to help you make an informed decision about which certification is best suited to your organisation’s needs.
What Is Cyber Essentials?
Cyber Essentials is a UK government-backed scheme that is designed to help organisations protect themselves against common cyber attacks. This certification focuses on five fundamental technical controls: secure configuration, boundary firewalls and internet gateways, access control and administrative privilege management, patch management, and malware protection.
Key Features Of Cyber Essentials
Simplicity: Cyber Essentials represents a base-level security accreditation. As such it’s accessible to businesses with even limited IT expertise.
Focus On Basic Cyber Hygiene: It emphasises basic cyber hygiene practices to protect against common internet-based threats.
Two Levels Of Certification: Cyber Essentials offers two levels of certification – Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus, with the latter involving a more rigorous assessment.
What is ISO 27001?
ISO 27001 is an international standard for information security management. It provides a comprehensive approach to managing information security risks and includes requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an Information Security Management System (ISMS).
Key Features of ISO 27001
Comprehensive Scope: Covers a wide array of information security aspects, including legal, physical, and technical controls.
Risk-Based Approach: Focuses on identifying and managing information security risks specific to the organization.
Continuous Improvement: Encourages ongoing evaluation and enhancement of the ISMS.
Scope And Depth Of Cyber Essentials vs ISO 27001
Cyber Essentials targets foundational cybersecurity measures. It’s primarily concerned with securing IT infrastructure against common cyber threats.
ISO 27001 on the other hand offers a holistic approach to managing information security, covering not just IT security but also employee training, physical security, and policy management.
Benefits And Reasons For Certification
Cyber Essentials provides enhanced protection against common threats, giving you the assurance that your organisation is safeguarded. It also acts as a differentiator in the market; demonstrating to clients and partners your commitment to cyber security, which can be a very competitive advantage, especially for SMEs. Additionally, being accredited with Cyber Essentials can open doors to work on UK Government contracts, due to most of them requiring certification.
ISO 27001 differs from Cyber Essentials in that it’s a globally recognised certification. This means being accredited can enhance your organisation’s credibility on a global scale. It also addresses risk management, helping to identify, assess, and manage information security risks effectively. Further to that, ISO 27001 assesses the resilience of business operations against information security threats to ensure business continuity.
Accreditation Processes
The Cyber Essentials basic accreditation consists of a self-assessment. Organisations complete a questionnaire regarding the security measures they have in place, which is then verified by an external certifying body. For Cyber Essentials Plus, organisations engage in external testing of their cyber defences by an accredited Cyber Essentials partner.
ISO 27001 consists of a comprehensive and detailed audit by an accredited certification body, which assesses the information security management system (ISMS) against the standard’s requirements. Becoming certified involves significant preparation, including developing an ISMS, conducting a risk assessment, and implementing necessary controls.
Cyber Essentials vs ISO 27001: Which Is Right For You?
Choosing between Cyber Essentials vs ISO 27001 depends on several factors, including your organisation’s size, the nature of your data, and your specific security needs. For businesses looking for a starting point in cybersecurity, Cyber Essentials offers a practical and cost-effective solution. On the other hand, organisations seeking a more comprehensive, globally recognised standard that encompasses all aspects of information security management, might find ISO 27001 more suitable.
While Cyber Essentials can be compared to laying the foundations of a building: ensuring the basic structure is secure against common threats, ISO 27001 is more like constructing the entire building with a robust framework, ensuring every aspect, from the foundation to the roof, is secure and resilient. The choice depends on how comprehensive you want your cybersecurity infrastructure to be.
Akita is certified in both Cyber Essentials Plus and ISO 27001. Get in touch with our experts to find out more about either accreditation:
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