What Is Cyber Essentials and Why Does My Business Need It?

With businesses of all sizes relying on digital tools, protecting your company’s sensitive data has become an absolute necessity.

One thing which can really help is the government-backed Cyber Essentials scheme.

On that note, let’s delve into the fundamentals of Cyber Essentials and why your business needs it…

Cyber Essentials is a government-backed cyber security certification scheme.

Its aim is to provide businesses of all sizes with a solid security footing and a set of basic technical controls to help protect themselves against the most common cyber threats.

There are 2 certification standards:

• Cyber Essentials – a basic accreditation applied for via a self-assessment questionnaire. You complete the review and get an external body to assess your application and confirm that you meet the standard.
• Cyber Essentials Plus – can only be applied for once Cyber Essentials is achieved and involves more in-depth security processes and vulnerability tests.

Once you have passed the certification, you will need to review your systems regularly, and re-apply every 12 months to retain your certification.

Cyber Essentials is suitable for all organisations, of any size, in any sector.

The Cyber Essentials certification is a requirement for all business who want to work directly with the UK government.

The truth is, though, that cyber criminals target any organisation they find that does not have sufficient security measures in place.

So even if your business does not work directly with the government, the need to protect your data should not be understated.

Cyber Essentials provides you with a great framework to review your IT security and a standard that can help protect your business against some of the most common cyberattacks.

Cyber Essentials also allows you to demonstrate your commitment to cybersecurity to your customers and suppliers.

At Aspect IT, we can help your business achieve Cyber Essentials certification.

We’ll guide you through the process, inspect your current IT systems and procedures, specify any work that needs to be done, implement the changes before you apply for your certification and help you to review and maintain everything afterwards.

If you would like to learn more about how we can help your business achieve Cyber Essentials certification, get in touch with us on 0161 241 9050 or info@aspectit.co.uk