Cyber Security has become a cornerstone for any business that deals with sensitive data. Protecting your business from cyber threats isn’t just a matter of best practices; it’s an essential part of maintaining trust with your customers and partners.
One way to demonstrate your commitment to cyber security is by obtaining the Cyber Essentials certification, a UK government-backed scheme that helps organisations guard against the most common cyber threats.
But what’s involved in getting your Cyber Essentials certification? Let’s break down the process step-by-step, so you know exactly what to expect and how to prepare your business for this crucial cyber security milestone.
Understanding Cyber Essentials: What Is It?
Before diving into the process, it’s important to understand what Cyber Essentials is all about. Launched in 2014 by the UK government, Cyber Essentials is a certification scheme designed to help businesses protect themselves from a variety of the most common cyber-attacks. These attacks can range from phishing scams to more sophisticated hacks, but the aim is the same: accessing sensitive data without permission.
The Cyber Essentials certification comes in two levels:
- Cyber Essentials: The basic level, which provides assurance that you have the necessary protections in place against the most common threats.
- Cyber Essentials Plus: A more advanced certification that includes an independent assessment of your security controls.
Whether you go for the basic certification or the more in-depth Cyber Essentials Plus, the steps involved in getting certified are quite similar.
Why Is Cyber Essentials Certification Important?
So, why bother with Cyber Essentials? Here are a few compelling reasons:
- Customer Trust: Showing that your business has this certification can reassure customers that you take cyber security seriously.
- Contract Requirements: Some government contracts and partnerships require Cyber Essentials certification.
- Risk Reduction: It helps you reduce the risk of a cyber-attack by implementing essential security measures.
- Competitive Edge: It can give your business a competitive advantage, especially in industries where cybersecurity is a major concern.
Steps to Achieve Cyber Essentials Certification
Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of what’s involved in achieving your Cyber Essentials certification.
1. Understand the Requirements
The first step in the journey is to familiarise yourself with the Cyber Essentials requirements. The certification focuses on five key security controls:
- Firewalls: Ensuring that your network is protected by a strong firewall, preventing unauthorised access.
- Secure Configuration: Setting up systems securely, reducing vulnerabilities by removing unnecessary services and accounts.
- User Access Control: Limiting access to sensitive information based on user roles, ensuring that only authorised individuals have access.
- Malware Protection: Implementing robust anti-malware software to protect against viruses, ransomware, and other threats.
- Patch Management: Keeping all software up to date with the latest security patches to fix vulnerabilities.
2. Conduct a Gap Analysis
Once you understand the requirements, it’s time to assess where your business currently stands. A gap analysis will help you identify areas where your current cyber security measures fall short of the Cyber Essentials standards.
During this phase, you’ll:
- Review your existing cyber security policies.
- Check the configuration of your systems and networks.
- Evaluate your access control mechanisms.
- Ensure that your anti-malware solutions are up to date.
- Verify that your patch management process is effective.
This self-assessment is critical because it highlights the areas you need to work on before applying for certification.
3. Implement Necessary Changes
After the gap analysis, you’ll likely have a list of changes that need to be made to meet the Cyber Essentials criteria. This might involve:
- Reconfiguring firewalls to better protect your network.
- Tightening user access controls to ensure that only necessary staff can access certain data. A secure and encrypted password manager can certainly help you here.
- Upgrading or installing new anti-malware software, such as Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR)
- Setting up regular patch management procedures to keep all systems up to date.
The key here is to ensure that all five security controls are fully implemented and functioning effectively across your organisation.
4. Choose a Certification Body
To obtain your Cyber Essentials certification, you’ll need to go through an accredited certification body. These bodies are authorised to assess your business against the Cyber Essentials standard and grant certification if you meet the criteria.
It’s important to choose a certification body that fits your needs. Some may offer additional support and guidance, while others might provide a more streamlined assessment process. Be sure to review their services and pricing before making your selection.
5. Complete the Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ)
For the basic Cyber Essentials certification, you’ll need to complete a Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ). This questionnaire is designed to evaluate whether your business has implemented the five key security controls.
The SAQ covers various aspects of your cyber security measures, including how you manage your firewall, how you control user access, and how you protect against malware. It’s crucial to answer these questions accurately and thoroughly, as they form the basis of your certification assessment.
6. Submit the SAQ and Supporting Evidence
Once you’ve completed the SAQ, you’ll submit it to your chosen certification body along with any supporting evidence. This evidence might include screenshots, policy documents, or logs that demonstrate how your security controls are implemented.
The certification body will review your SAQ and evidence to determine whether your business meets the Cyber Essentials standards.
7. Undergo an External Vulnerability Scan (For Cyber Essentials Plus)
If you’re aiming for Cyber Essentials Plus, an additional step involves undergoing an external vulnerability scan. This scan is performed by your certification body and checks for any vulnerabilities in your systems that could be exploited by attackers.
The scan will focus on areas such as:
- Open ports on your network.
- Misconfigured services or software.
- Outdated or unpatched systems.
Passing this scan is crucial for achieving the Cyber Essentials Plus certification, as it provides an extra layer of assurance that your cyber security measures are robust.
8. Receive Your Certification
After the assessment, if your business meets all the required standards, you’ll be awarded the Cyber Essentials certification! Congratulations – you’ve just taken a significant step toward strengthening your cyber security posture.
For Cyber Essentials Plus, you’ll receive your certification after successfully passing the vulnerability scan and any additional assessments conducted by the certification body.
Maintaining Your Cyber Essentials Certification
Achieving Cyber Essentials certification is a great accomplishment, but it’s important to remember that cyber security is an ongoing process. To maintain your certification and keep your business protected, you should:
- Regularly Review Your Security Measures: Ensure that your cyber security policies and controls remain effective and up to date.
- Stay Informed About New Threats: Cyber threats are constantly evolving, so it’s crucial to stay informed about the latest risks and how to defend against them.
- Renew Your Certification Annually: Cyber Essentials certification is valid for one year, so you’ll need to renew it annually to maintain your status.
FAQs About Cyber Essentials Certification
It typically takes a few weeks to complete the entire process, depending on your current cyber security measures and how quickly you can implement necessary changes.
While not mandatory for all businesses, Cyber Essentials certification is often required for government contracts and can provide a competitive advantage in various industries.
Absolutely! In fact, Cyber Essentials is designed to be accessible to businesses of all sizes, making it a valuable certification for small businesses looking to enhance their cyber security.
Cyber Essentials is a self-assessment certification, while Cyber Essentials Plus includes an independent assessment and vulnerability scan for added assurance.
If you don’t pass on your first attempt, your certification body will provide feedback on what needs to be improved. You can then address these issues and reapply.
Final Thoughts on Cyber Essentials Certification
Getting your Cyber Essentials certification is a smart move for any business looking to bolster its cyber security defences. Not only does it help protect your business from common cyber threats, but it also signals to customers, partners, and regulators that you take cyber security seriously.
By following the steps outlined in this guide, you’ll be well on your way to achieving Cyber Essentials certification and strengthening your organisation’s overall security posture.
Remember, cyber security isn’t a one-time task – it’s an ongoing commitment to keeping your business safe in an increasingly digital world.
