5 Reasons to become Cyber Essentials Certified

There are many reasons why your organisation should become Cyber Essentials certified.

Not only does the process encourage organisations to adopt good practice in information security, it is recognised by the UK National Cyber Security Centre.

We have collated a full list of reasons why your business should gain certification below.

Ransomware is on the rise

In recent years, the UK has seen significant growth in cyber criminality. This is not a localised problem as countries across the world have been targeted by cyber attacks such as high-profile ransomware campaigns, where personal data has been leaked on a massive scale.

The Cyber Essentials scheme requires all devices connected to the internet to be protected with a firewall – which can deter ransomware attacks.

Comply and win contracts with UK government

For years, the UK government has aimed to improve cyber security in its supply chain.

Cyber Essentials was developed by government, in consultation with industry. On the government website it states that:

“From 1 October 2014, all suppliers must be compliant with the new Cyber Essentials controls if bidding for government contracts which involve handling of sensitive and personal information and provision of certain technical products and services.”

Coronavirus has caused a 400% increase in attempted attacks

There has never been a better time to evaluate the effectiveness of your cyber security strategy. In Spring 2020, the National Cyber Security Centre reported that there had been an increasing number of malicious cyber attacks that aimed to exploit the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cyber security consultant Naval Dome has also reported that there has been a 400% increase in attempted hacks since February 2020.

Malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks have all been used to exploit businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gaining an expert oversight of your cyber security controls

The certification process is a simple but effective.

Cyber Essentials self-assessments are reviewed by cyber security experts, which means you will have a clear picture of your organisation’s cyber security level during the evaluation process.

Once you gain certification, you will have peace of mind that your defences will protect against many common cyber attacks.

Protect your business from 80% of cyber threats

Cyber Essentials is a great solution for businesses looking to improve their cyber security settings and standing.

By implementing five simple key controls, you can protect your business from up to 80% of common cyber security threats.

Find out more about our packages and get started with your Cyber Essentials certification.