Preparing for Cyber Essentials certification: top tips for improving your company’s security posture

Being proactive about cyber security is crucial in our digital age, whether your company is an ambitious start-up or a global enterprise. With 15 years’ experience at the forefront of cyber security, Forensic Control is all about making it as simple as possible to protect your business’s digital assets from cyber criminals. One of the key places we recommend starting is your Cyber Essentials certification.

Cyber Essentials is a UK government-backed scheme designed to help organisations of all sizes and sectors protect themselves against common cyber threats. At Forensic Control, we offer three levels of certification – Basic, Plus and Pro – to suit any level of need, as well as providing 12-months of our Vulnerability Scanning services completely free of charge. 

With cybercrime on the rise in the UK, the benefits of Cyber Essentials can’t be overstated. Government figures show that businesses that complete the certification are 92% less likely to claim on their insurance for a cyber-related issue. Cyber Essentials focuses on proactive steps to strengthen your security posture, protect your systems and data, and arm your team with the knowledge to be confident in their actions. 

For our customers, Cyber Essentials helps you to: 

• Get a clear picture of your security posture: Until you know exactly what devices are accessing your data and how they are configured, you can’t be sure that you’re in control of your data. Cyber Essentials gives you clear insight of where you stand – and what to act on.

• Reduce cyber security risks: Cyber Essentials is a simple and effective way to protect your sensitive data from the most prevalent cyber threats, in a way that doesn’t get in the way of business.

• Increase confidence: Show your clients and partners you are serious about cyber security and that your organisation can be trusted to handle their data.

• Demonstrate you take security seriously: Cyber Essentials certification shows your staff, clients and stakeholders that you’re serious about protecting their data. Furthermore, certification is a requirement when bidding for many contracts – especially for public bodies, such as the NHS and the Government – putting you top of the list for any opportunity.

How do I prepare for my Cyber Essentials certification?

Completing your Cyber Essentials certification starts with a simple self-assessment in the form of a free questionnaire you can take here on our website. This allows us to review your existing cyber security practices in relation to the five key areas covered by the certification:

1. Secure Configuration: Ensures that all devices and software used by the company are up to date and configured in a secure way that minimises vulnerabilities

2. Firewalls and Internet Gateways: Setting up firewalls that safeguard the company network from external threats and unauthorised access

3. Access Control Management: Access control ensures that only specific, designated users can access sensitive data, systems and information

4. Malware Protection: Safeguarding company systems against malicious software and viruses by employing the latest tools

5. Patch Management: Eliminating vulnerabilities in your company’s system by ensuring all software is kept up to date with the latest security patches.

After understanding where your vulnerabilities may lie, Forensic Control helps you to develop an action plan to address the issues. Establishing systems to ensure your software and devices are regulated updated. 

Next, it’s key to develop clear policies surrounding data protection, access control and incident response. This documentation will help demonstrate compliance during the certification. We also help to engage your team, so that you can build awareness and security-minded culture within your organisation that helps to reduce the chance of human error through a sense of shared responsibility.

Implement essential software such as firewalls, anti-malware and secure configurations for devices and software to safeguard your data and network. We also suggest performing a Vulnerability Scan before applying for certification and conducting scans regularly once you are certified. Vulnerability Scanning is an easy way to identify weaknesses and security issues in your systems. Purchase your Cyber Essentials Certification and get 12 months of Vulnerability Scanning free. 

We then work with you to strengthen your security posture and get up to speed, guaranteeing you pass your Cyber Essentials certification every year. 

By understanding the value of Cyber Essentials – and, indeed, the importance of your business’s cyber security – you can feel safe in knowledge that your company will be resilient against existing and emerging threats for you and your clients.