Cyber Essentials Scheme

The Cyber Essentials scheme is an industry supported set of criteria devised by the UK Government. It contains a set of universal cyber security standards that if achieved can provide you with a competitive advantage in today’s digital landscape. If you are looking to protect your business by achieving the Cyber Essentials & Cyber Essentials + accreditation, our expert team can guide you through the process and ensure your organisation meets the necessary cyber security standards.

Technology is a fundamental part of modern life. It helps us work faster and more efficiently. As the devices we use to improve our lives become more sophisticated, so too do the threats we face. Cyber criminals exploit weaknesses and security vulnerabilities in the technology we use to gain access to passwords, confidential information, and finances.

As your IT partner, you rely on us to safeguard your systems and stay informed about enhancing your security. Several security measures can be deployed to protect your data from internal and external threats. An ideal strategy involves multiple layers, and we strongly advise our clients to pursue Cyber Essentials accreditation as a crucial component. In fact, this certification program aims to reduce the risk of internet-based cyber-attacks by approximately 80%.

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What is the Cyber Essentials scheme?

There are numerous measures organisations can put in place to ensure their data is secured against internal and external threats. The Cyber Essentials Scheme is one of them.
The UK Government and National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) have collaborated to create a specialised program aimed at enhancing online safety and security for individuals and businesses in the UK. This program, known as the Cyber Essentials scheme, offers an affordable and effective information security standard for businesses of all sizes and sectors. It caters to all, from public and private sectors to well-established corporate organisations and newly established small and medium enterprises (SMEs), providing a manageable yet comprehensive approach to cyber security.

The Cyber Essentials scheme is split in two levels: Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials +. Cyber Essentials offers a self-assessment option that allows you to identify and thwart common cyber-attacks independently. It puts the control in your hands, enabling you to strengthen your organisation's security posture. However, for enhanced robustness and an elevated level of trustworthiness, the Cyber Essentials + option provides a more comprehensive and rigorous process carried out by an external assessor.

Organisations that gain the Cyber Essentials accreditation are widely acknowledged as having excellent cyber hygiene practices, demonstrating that they have taken the necessary measures to safeguard sensitive data and enhance their cyber protection. Additionally, possessing a valid Cyber Essentials certificate has become increasingly crucial within supply chains and is mandatory for any business seeking Government contracts.

Sharp can help you through the journey to achieve your Cyber Essential and Cyber Essentials + accreditation.

The Cyber Essentials Scheme focuses on 5 Key Controls to Cyber Essentials Accreditation

By implementing the recommended 5 key technical controls outlined in the Cyber Essentials accreditation, businesses can protect themselves against the most common cyber threats.

Access Control

Organisations must implement measures to restrict user access to sensitive information and systems, ensuring that only authorised personnel have appropriate access privileges.

Firewalls

Organisations are required to have secure network perimeters and properly configured firewalls to control incoming and outgoing network traffic.

Malware Protection

Organisations must have measures in place to defend against malware, such as installing and updating antivirus software and implementing procedures to detect and remove malicious software.

Secure Configuration and Network Management

This involves ensuring that systems and devices are securely configured and maintained to reduce vulnerabilities.

Updating software and patch management

Organisations need to have processes in place to keep software and devices up to date with the latest security patches and updates to address known vulnerabilities.

Getting the Cyber Essentials Accreditation

Cyber Essentials

An in-depth questionnaire will need to be completed to assess whether your business has reached each security standard. The accredited body will then verify your responses to ensure compliance, before awarding with your Cyber Essentials accreditation.

Benefits include:

Basic cyber security certification reassures your clients and partners that you take cyber security seriously.
You’ll be listed on a directory of organisations that have been awarded the Cyber Essentials accreditation.
By demonstrating that you have the right cyber security training and measures in place, you’ll attract new business.

Cyber Essentials Plus

The Cyber Essentials + certification expands upon the basic scheme outlined above. However, in addition a hands-on technical verification is carried out. In which a representative from an accredited assessor will visit your premises and carry out a thorough review of your IT systems.

Accreditation procedure:

The assessor will check whether malicious files can enter your organisation from web traffic or email.
They’ll assess how effective your anti-virus and anti-malware protection measures are.
They’ll analyse how your IT assets are networked together, to see how likely is it that your organisation could be compromised.

Why choose Sharp?

We'll guide you through the Cyber Essentials accreditation process

At Sharp, we’ll continually strive to protect your organisation and data from the ever-growing threat posed by cyber criminals, by keeping your systems as secure as possible. We’ve invested time and money into innovation and operational efficiency, to ensure we’re always available to help you with IT Support 24/7, should you require it.

We’ll guide you through the Cyber Essentials accreditation process by drawing upon our wealth of IT expertise. We recognise the cyber security threats faced by UK businesses, we know how to ensure an IT operation is secure, and we understand the steps needed for you to achieve the Cyber Essentials certification.

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Why should you get the Cyber Essentials certification?

To gain a thorough understanding of your organisation’s cyber security operation.
To reassure customers that you are proactively working to secure your IT assets against a cyber-attack.
Certain UK Government contracts will not be granted without the certification in place.
Achieving the Cyber Essentials Scheme accreditation improves the likelihood of investment opportunities.
To attract new business with the understanding that you have strict cyber security measures throughout your organisation.

Additional Cyber Security measures

The Cyber Essentials scheme is just one way you can protect your business against cyber-crime. Here are other common cyber security countermeasures:

Firewalls- We’ll install firewall software on all your PCs, laptops, and servers to check for suspicious content and behaviour. The firewall will be monitored by your dedicated local team of technical experts. Suspicious behaviour will be flagged and acted on immediately. Firmware updates will be carried out automatically, as required.

Total Endpoint Security- Flexible working is now the norm for many organisations. Employees are working from a variety of devices from their homes or public areas. Cyber security protection should extend to all your IT assets, not just those that reside at your HQ. With our Total Endpoint Security and Compliance service, you can rest assured that your endpoints are monitored and secure 24/7, no matter where your teams are using them from.

Email Security for Microsoft 365- Email Security for Microsoft 365 from Sharp sets itself apart from other secure email providers by detecting threats that traditional email protection systems cannot.

Email Security for Microsoft 365 integrates with Exchange Online to detect internal and external attacks state-of-the-art artificial intelligence detects malware hiding within emails sent to and from your business before they become a problem.