Cyber Resilience: A guide to Cyber Essentials & Cyber Essentials Plus
In today's world, cyber security is a top priority for businesses of all sizes. As a cyber security company, IT Hotdesk operates in multiple cities across Scotland, including Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Inverness. We understand the importance of protecting your organisation against cyber threats. In this blog, we'll explore the key differences between two vital cyber security certifications: Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus, to help you make an informed decision if you should have Cyber Essentials as a minimum or elevate to Cyber Essentials Plus.
Cyber Essentials Certification
Cyber Essentials is an entry-level certification that provides a strong foundation for cyber security practices. It's ideal for businesses looking to establish basic security measures. Here's a closer look at what it entails:
Self-Assessment: The certification process begins with a self-assessment questionnaire that covers various cyber security controls and practices. This questionnaire is designed to evaluate your organisation's adherence to essential security principles.
Certification Body Review: After completing the self-assessment, your responses are reviewed by a certification body. If your organisation meets the requirements, you are awarded the Cyber Essentials certification.
Fundamental Controls: Cyber Essentials primarily focuses on implementing fundamental security controls, including firewall configuration, secure access control, and malware protection. It's a valuable starting point for businesses aiming to enhance their cyber security posture.
Cyber Essentials Plus Certification
Cyber Essentials Plus is a more advanced certification that offers a higher level of assurance. It involves a more thorough assessment process to ensure the effectiveness of your security controls:
Self-Assessment + Technical Assessment: Like Cyber Essentials, the process begins with a self-assessment questionnaire. However, the key difference lies in the additional technical assessment component. A certified external assessor conducts vulnerability scanning to verify that your organisation's security measures are robust.
Independent Evaluation: Cyber Essentials Plus provides a deeper level of assurance as it involves an independent evaluation of your security measures. The external assessor's findings ensure that your cybersecurity defences are not only in place but also effective against real-world threats.
Choosing the Right Certification
Now that we've covered the differences between Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus, the question is: which one is right for your business?
Cyber Essentials is an excellent choice for organisations just starting on their cyber security journey or those with limited resources. It establishes a fundamental level of protection against common online threats and demonstrates your commitment to cyber security.
On the other hand, Cyber Essentials Plus offers a higher level of security assurance. It's well-suited for businesses that need to demonstrate a more robust cyber security posture, especially when bidding for government contracts or working with sensitive data.
It's important to note the sequential nature of these certifications. For those wanting to achieve Cyber Essentials Plus, obtaining Cyber Essentials is the initial step. This ensures a strong baseline of protection. Moreover, the achievement of Cyber Essentials, and subsequently Cyber Essentials Plus, is recommended within a three-month timeframe.
As a trusted security expert, we encourage businesses to prioritise cyber security. Both Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus certifications play crucial roles in strengthening your defences against cyber threats. The choice between them depends on your organisation's specific needs and security requirements.
Contact us today to discuss how we can help you achieve these certifications and become cyber-secure.