Cyber Essentials Plus – why it’s crucial for modern businesses

In our line of business, clients always come first. So when it comes to your security, we’ll take the necessary steps to safeguard your data. With 1 in 5 UK businesses having suffered a cyber-attack in the last 12 months, it’s clear cyber-attacks are no longer a distant threat, but a pressing reality.

And when it comes to cyber, size doesn’t matter – both small businesses and large corporations are vulnerable to the threat of cybercrime and data breaches in this digital landscape. As a result, achieving robust cybersecurity is not just a recommendation; it’s a necessity, and one way businesses can safeguard themselves is by earning the Cyber Essentials Plus certification. Here we’ll explain why it’s essential for modern businesses and the top 5 benefits.

What is Cyber Essentials Plus?

Cyber Essentials Plus is the advanced level of the UK government-backed Cyber Essentials scheme. It builds upon the basic Cyber Essentials certification by including an independent, hands-on technical audit of a businesses systems. The assessment verifies that a businesses cybersecurity measures are not only in place but working effectively to protect against real-world threats. In a nutshell, it involves working with an accredited certification body to undergo a technical audit and addresses any vulnerabilities uncovered during the assessment.

So what are they key 5 benefits to being accredited?

#1 Strengthen our defense against cyber threats 

Cyber Essentials Plus ensures our business has implemented essential cybersecurity measures, such as:

• Firewalls to secure our network.
• Secure configuration of devices and systems.
• Robust user access controls.
• Regular patch management.
• Up-to-date malware protection.

By adhering to these measures, we significantly reduce our vulnerability to common cyberattacks like phishing, ransomware, and malware.

#2 Build trust with our valued clients 

Data breaches can erode trust fast. Cyber Essentials Plus certification reassures our valued clients, and partners that we take data security seriously. This is particularly important in industries like insurance where data protection is paramount.

#3 Meet legal and regulatory requirements

With data protection laws like the GDPR enforcing strict standards for handling personal data, businesses like ours must demonstrate a commitment to cybersecurity. Cyber Essentials Plus helps align us with these legal obligations.

#4 Reducing downtime and costs associated with cyber-attacks

Cyber-attacks can lead to significant financial losses through downtime during recovery, fines for data breaches, and lost client trust. By proactively mitigating risks through Cyber Essentials Plus, we’re doing everything we can to avoid the high costs of reacting to incidents after they’ve occurred.

#5 Strengthen team awareness

Cyber Essentials Plus certification involves reviewing internal policies and providing employee training on cybersecurity best practices. This helps foster a culture of vigilance within our organisation, reducing human error (a leading cause of breaches). The Cyber Essentials Plus process also encourages regular reviews and updates to our cybersecurity measures, helping us stay prepared for new and emerging threats.

“As an adviser to clients facing cybercrime risk it was important for us to lead the way and keep this issue top of our agenda. We are delighted to have achieved this accreditation”. – Julia McKee, Operations Director

In a world where cyber-attacks are increasingly sophisticated and frequent, Cyber Essentials Plus is more than a certification – it’s a commitment from us that we will safeguard our business and our clients. By investing in this essential framework, we’re proud to be investing and protecting our operations and showcasing our dedication to cybersecurity excellence.

For us, knowing our clients are now far more secure as a result of us achieving this accreditation make it all the worthwhile.

Don’t risk it – whether larger or small, secure your business with Cyber Essentials Plus and stay one step ahead.