Backed by the UK government, the Cyber Essentials certification offers a structured pathway to implementing cyber security best practices, ensuring that your Leicester-based business is protected from common online threats. But how do you go from the initial assessment to proudly displaying your Cyber Essentials certificate? In this blog, we’ll walk you through the journey, offering tips and insights to help you navigate the process with confidence.
Step 1: Review the Cyber Essentials Requirements Document
Before doing anything else, it’s important to understand the exact requirements for Cyber Essentials certification. By familiarising yourself with the Cyber Essentials Requirements document first, you’ll know what technical controls are needed, which helps in accurately assessing your current situation.
This guide outlines the technical controls you’ll need to implement and provide evidence of in order to achieve certification. These controls form the foundation of cyber security for Leicester businesses and are curated to protect you against the most common cyber threats.
There are five key areas covered in the document:
- Firewalls and Internet Gateways: Ensuring that your network’s protected by a properly configured firewall.
- Secure Configuration: Configuring your systems and devices to reduce vulnerabilities.
- User Access Control: Managing user access to sensitive data and systems.
- Malware Protection: Implementing effective malware defences.
- Patch Management: Keeping your software up-to-date to prevent weak spots from developing.
Don’t panic—the document explains each control in a thorough but accessible way. Dedicate some time to reviewing it, and you’ll gain a clear understanding of the specific requirements you need to meet for Cyber Essentials certification.
Step 2: Start with the Cyber Essentials Readiness Toolkit
Once you understand what’s required, you’ll need to assess where your business currently stands in terms of cyber security. The Cyber Essentials Readiness Toolkit is an invaluable resource for this initial assessment.
The tool’s designed to provide you with a personalised action plan based on your current cyber security posture. By answering a series of questions about your existing security measures, the toolkit will help you identify any gaps and provide tailored recommendations on how to address them.
This readiness check will give you a clear understanding of what needs to be done before you can proceed, saving you from wasting time, energy, and money on measures that won’t contribute to certification.
Step 3: Enlist the Help of an IT Support Team
Achieving certification is a significant undertaking, and it’s wise to enlist the help of a knowledgeable IT support team in Leicester to guide you through the process. An experienced crew can help implement the necessary measures and controls, ensuring your business meets the certification requirements.
They can assist with:
- Firewall Configuration: Properly setting up firewalls to block unauthorised access while allowing legitimate traffic.
- System Configuration: Configuring your systems to eliminate unnecessary services and secure sensitive data.
- Access Controls: Establishing user accounts with appropriate permissions to limit access to critical systems and data.
- Malware Protection: Installing and managing antivirus software, along with other malware defences suitable for both your business and Cyber Essentials requirements.
- Patch Management: Implementing automated updates and managing software patches to offload the burden of keeping your systems secure.
Working with an IT support team that has experience in Cyber Essentials certification ensures that your business adheres to cyber security best practices. Through collaborating with experts, you can significantly streamline your preparations and make the certification process far less daunting.
Step 4: Choose Between Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus
With the groundwork laid, it’s time to decide which level of certification is right for your business: Cyber Essentials or Cyber Essentials Plus.
- Cyber Essentials: This is the basic level of certification and involves a self-assessment questionnaire. It’s ideal for SMBs that already have some cyber security measures in place and are looking to formalise their approach without the need for an external audit.
- Cyber Essentials Plus: This is the more comprehensive certification and includes an additional technical audit by a certified external assessor. It’s best suited for SMBs that handle sensitive data, operate in highly regulated industries, or simply want the added assurance that their cyber security measures are thoroughly validated.
Choosing the right certification level depends on your business’s specific needs and resources. If your business is new to cyber security best practices, the basic Cyber Essentials might be a good starting point. If you require a higher level of assurance and external validation, Cyber Essentials Plus could be the better option.
Step 5: Complete the Self-Assessment Questionnaire
After settling on your certification level, the next step is to complete the self-assessment questionnaire.
This questionnaire will ask you to provide evidence of the security measures you’ve implemented in line with the Cyber Essentials Requirements document. It’s essential to be thorough and accurate in your responses, as this will determine whether or not your business meets the criteria for certification.
If you’ve opted for Cyber Essentials Plus, you’ll also need to arrange for a technical audit. This involves a certified assessor reviewing your systems and verifying that the controls you’ve implemented are functioning as intended. The audit is a more in-depth examination of your cyber security posture and provides additional assurance that your business is well-protected.
Step 6: Receive Your Certificate and Next Steps
Once you’ve submitted your self-assessment questionnaire and, if applicable, completed the technical audit, it’s time to receive your Cyber Essentials certification! This not only demonstrates your commitment to cyber security best practices but also provides a valuable credential that can enhance your business’s reputation and competitiveness.
Along with your certificate, you’ll receive a detailed report outlining any areas for improvement. This report’s an excellent resource for further strengthening your cyber security measures and ensuring that your business remains thoroughly shielded from digital dangers.
It’s important to note that Cyber Essentials certification is valid for 12 months. After this period, you’ll need to renew your certification. However, if you’ve already implemented the necessary technical controls, the renewal process will be straightforward and efficient.
It’s well worth renewing, too—maintaining your certification is a clear indication to clients and shareholders that your business is committed to staying ahead of cyber threats.
Your Path to Cyber Essentials Certification
Achieving Cyber Essentials certification is a critical step for any Leicester SMB looking to protect its assets, data, and reputation. From the initial readiness assessment to receiving your certification, the process is designed to help increase your awareness of cyber security best practices that safeguard your business from common cyber threats.
Certification not only enhances your security but also demonstrates to clients, partners, and stakeholders that you’re committed to cyber security. In an era where cyber threats are constantly evolving and consumers are becoming more knowledgeable about the risks to their personal data, Cyber Essentials certification is a powerful tool for protecting your business and ensuring its continued success.
Realtime ITS: Delivering IT Excellence to Leicester’s Businesses
Realtime IT Solutions was founded to help SMBs in Leicester realise their full potential by utilising ever-evolving technology.
Whether you need support on-site, over the cloud, or for hybrid infrastructures, the best solutions are those tailored to meet your specific goals and give you a competitive edge. We base our skills and knowledge on the latest technology practices used by large corporations, adjusting them to your unique business needs.
Thinking of pursuing a Cyber Essentials certification? Schedule a discovery call to talk to us about ensuring your cyber security meets the necessary criteria.
