Cyber Essentials Plus is a certification scheme developed by the UK government in collaboration with industry experts. It is designed to help businesses protect their IT systems against common cyber threats. The certification is awarded to organizations that meet a set of minimum cybersecurity requirements. These requirements are aimed at ensuring that an organization’s IT infrastructure is secure against the most common cyber threats.
To achieve Cyber Essentials Plus certification, an organization must first achieve Cyber Essentials certification. Cyber Essentials is the basic certification level and is aimed at organizations with a low level of IT security expertise. The certification process involves a self-assessment questionnaire, which is reviewed by a certification body. The questionnaire covers five areas of IT security: firewalls, secure configuration, access control, malware protection, and patch management.
Once an organisation has achieved Cyber Essentials certification, it can progress to Cyber Essentials Plus certification. Cyber Essentials Plus involves an independent assessment of an organisation’s IT infrastructure by a certification body. The assessment is carried out on-site, and the organisation must provide evidence of its IT security measures. The assessment covers the same five areas as the Cyber Essentials questionnaire, but in greater detail.
Cyber Essentials Plus certification provides businesses with several benefits. Firstly, it demonstrates that the business takes cybersecurity seriously and has implemented appropriate security measures to protect its IT systems and data. This can be a valuable differentiator when bidding for contracts or attracting new customers.
Secondly, Cyber Essentials Plus certification can help organisations comply with regulatory requirements. For example, the UK government requires suppliers bidding for certain contracts to have Cyber Essentials Plus certification. The certification can also help businesses comply with data protection regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Thirdly, Cyber Essentials Plus certification can help businesses reduce the risk of cyber-attacks. The certification scheme is designed to address the most common cyber threats, such as phishing attacks and malware infections. By implementing the security measures required for certification, businesses can reduce the likelihood of a successful cyber-attack.
In conclusion, Cyber Essentials Plus certification is an important cybersecurity standard for businesses. It provides a clear framework for organisations to assess and improve their IT security measures, and it demonstrates a commitment to cybersecurity. Achieving Cyber Essentials Plus certification can also help businesses comply with regulatory requirements and reduce the risk of cyber-attacks.
At 4S Systems, we have a team of experienced cybersecurity experts who can help you achieve Cyber Essentials Plus certification. We will work with you to assess your IT infrastructure and identify any security weaknesses. We will then help you implement the security measures required for certification.
Contact us today to learn more about our Cyber Essentials Plus service and how we can help you protect your business against cyber threats.