Did you know 39% of UK businesses reported cyber security breaches in the past year? Cyber Essentials certifications can help you stay protected.
Cybersecurity is more crucial than ever, especially for businesses that handle sensitive data or rely heavily on technology. Cyber attacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated, making it imperative for companies to protect their assets, data, and reputation.
For UK businesses, two key certifications are often considered to bolster their cyber security measures: Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus. In this article, we will discuss what they are and the key differences to help you determine which one is right for your business.
What is Cyber Essentials?
Cyber Essentials is a UK government-backed certification scheme that helps organisations of all sizes protect themselves against a range of the most common cyber attacks. The certification is designed to be a simple and affordable way for businesses to improve their cyber security practices. By obtaining Cyber Essentials through a provider like EBC Group, a company can demonstrate to its clients and stakeholders that it takes cyber security seriously.
Key Features of Cyber Essentials:
- Self-Assessment
Cyber Essentials is primarily a self-assessment accreditation scheme. Organisations are required to complete an online questionnaire that investigates five key areas of cyber security.
- Five Security Controls
The certification focuses on implementing five fundamental security controls. These include firewalls, secure configuration, user access control, malware protection and patch management.
- Cost-Effective
Cyber Essentials is designed to be affordable, making it accessible to small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs). We have helped businesses of all sizes get their accreditation.
- Government Recognition
The UK government recognises the certification. Furthermore, Cyber Essentials is often a legal requirement for businesses that want to work with certain government departments.
Benefits of Cyber Essentials
Cyber Essentials offers businesses key benefits, providing essential protection against common cyber threats and potentially preventing up to 80% of attacks. Achieving this certification boosts customer trust by demonstrating a strong commitment to cyber security. It also helps businesses meet regulatory requirements, particularly in data protection, and offers a competitive edge, especially when vying for contracts with government bodies which require it.
What is Cyber Essentials Plus?
Cyber Essentials Plus, which we also provide, is the next level of certification within the scheme. It includes all the requirements of Cyber Essentials but goes a step further by involving an independent assessment of an organisation’s cyber security practices. This makes Cyber Essentials Plus a more robust certification, providing a higher level of assurance.
Key Features of Cyber Essentials Plus
- Independent Assessment
Unlike Cyber Essentials, where businesses can self-assess, Cyber Essentials Plus involves an external auditor who conducts a thorough examination of your systems to ensure compliance.
- In-Depth Testing
The independent assessor will perform a variety of tests, including:
- Vulnerability Scans: Scanning systems for vulnerabilities that could be exploited by cyber attackers.
- Phishing Simulations: Testing how well employees respond to simulated phishing attacks.
- End-User Device Testing: Ensuring that all devices used by the organisation are configured securely and protected against threats.
- Rigorous Evaluation
The assessment for Cyber Essentials Plus is more rigorous than the self-assessment in Cyber Essentials, providing a more comprehensive evaluation of your cyber security measures.
- Higher Assurance
Because it involves independent verification, Cyber Essentials Plus offers a higher level of assurance to customers and stakeholders. This helps to ensure confidence in security features.
Benefits of Cyber Essentials Plus
Cyber Essentials Plus ensures enhanced security by verifying that security controls are effectively implemented. This builds increased trust among customers and partners, particularly in data-sensitive industries. This certification also provides a competitive edge, demonstrating a commitment to staying ahead of emerging threats and top-tier cyber security. Additionally, it can lead to reduced cyber insurance costs due to the lower risk it represents.
Key Differences Between Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus
While both Cyber Essentials certifications serve the purpose of enhancing an organisation’s cyber security posture, the key difference lies in the level of assurance and the process involved.
Assessment Process
Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus differ significantly in their assessment processes. Cyber Essentials involves a self-assessment questionnaire completed by the business, allowing it to evaluate its cyber security measures internally. In contrast, Cyber Essentials Plus requires an independent assessment by a qualified third party, ensuring that security controls are not only in place but also effectively implemented by a thorough external audit.
Assurance Level
The assurance level varies between Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus. Cyber Essentials provides basic assurance that essential security controls are implemented, and suitable for foundational cyber security needs. Cyber Essentials Plus offers higher assurance through external verification, giving greater confidence in the cyber security of an organisation.
Cost
Cyber Essentials is typically less expensive and more accessible for smaller businesses or those with limited budgets due to its self-assessment approach. Cyber Essentials Plus is more costly because it involves an external audit and comprehensive assessment, reflecting the higher level of assurance it provides. Contact us for more information about the costs for both.
Scope of Testing
The scope of testing varies between the two certifications. Cyber Essentials ensures that five key security controls (firewalls, secure configuration, user access control, malware protection, and patch management) are in place. Cyber Essentials Plus goes further by including practical tests and simulations, such as vulnerability scans and phishing simulations.
Market Perception
Cyber Essentials is seen as a solid starting point for businesses new to cyber security certification, demonstrating a basic commitment to protecting data. Cyber Essentials Plus is viewed as a more prestigious certification, suitable for organisations needing higher assurance. Its independent verification highlights commitment to stringent cyber security standards.
Conclusion
It is vital to protect your business from cyber security threats. Whether you choose Cyber Essentials or Cyber Essentials Plus, both certifications offer valuable protection and demonstrate a commitment to cyber security. For many businesses, starting with Cyber Essentials and progressing to Cyber Essentials Plus as their security needs grow is a solid approach.
At EBC Group, we understand the importance of robust cyber security measures. Our team of experts can help guide you through the certification process, ensuring that your business is protected against the evolving landscape of cyber threats. Additionally, our team of IT professionals offer Cyber Security Penetration Testing and Cyber Security Awareness Training.
Contact us today to learn more about how EBC Group can help support your cyber security efforts.
