Certifiably Protect your Business

12th March 2023

Cyber-attacks affect 50 of UK businesses. Cyber Essentials certification ensures your protected against online threats and comply with regulations. Find out more about how Cyber Essentials can help your business.

As reported by the UK government, almost half of all UK businesses have experienced some form of cyber-attack over the past year. This highlights the importance of cyber security for businesses of all sizes and industries. This is why, in 2014, the UK Government launched the Cyber Essentials certification scheme to help businesses get the practices and services in place to protect themselves against common online threats. In addition, many businesses are now finding that they may be required to be certified when bidding for some contracts or working with specific businesses. 

The Cyber Essentials certification scheme has two levels: Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus. Both levels provide a set of basic cyber security requirements that businesses can implement to protect themselves against cyber-attacks, such as malware and phishing attacks. These requirements include keeping software up to date, using firewalls, and controlling access to data and networks. 

In addition to protecting against common online threats, the Cyber Essentials certification can also help your business comply with legal and regulatory requirements, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). By achieving the certification, businesses can demonstrate to customers and clients that they are taking appropriate measures to protect personal data. 

The higher Cyber Essentials Plus certification offers even more comprehensive protection, including testing for vulnerabilities, implementing secure configurations, and monitoring and detecting security events. The more rigorous assessment process for this level reviews the controls implemented by the business and tests their effectiveness. As a result, businesses that achieve Cyber Essentials Plus certification can be more confident that their systems are adequately protected against cyber attacks, giving them a competitive advantage when bidding for new contracts. 

One2Call offers an Assisted Cyber Essentials service to help businesses complete the certification process. The service includes managing the self-assessment form and completing the technical IT sections, as well as liaising with third party suppliers and providing clear and simple guidance for any necessary input from the business. 

Don't let your business fall victim to a cyber-attack - consider obtaining Cyber Essentials certification to ensure that you have the services and practices in place to protect against common online threats and demonstrate compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.