Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus Certification Services

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Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus Certification Services

Our Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus certification services will assist you in protecting your organisation's system and ensuring it stays in compliance.

Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus Certification Services

At Mindfire, We Make Your Cyber Essentials Certification Easy

Do you want your customers and business partners to trust your business to protect their data from attackers? Cyber security is always and will remain a priority for every online business. So, if you take the security of your organisation's data seriously, you must be certified. At Mindfire, our Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus certification services protect you from common threats by ensuring that you put all the necessary security controls in place.

What Is Cyber Essentials?

Cyber Essentials is a foundation-level certification and a UK Government-backed scheme that helps organisations that operate online to protect themselves against cyber attacks. This certification provides a statement of all the security controls your organisation must have to protect and mitigate the risk from cyber threats.

Created by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), Cyber Essentials is the first step to a secure network that protects you from data breaches and leaks.

Cyber Essentials covers five controls, which are:

 

  • Boundary firewalls and internet gateways,
  • Software updates,
  • Malware protection and patch management,
  • Access control,
  • Secure configuration.

What Is Cyber Essentials Plus?

This is the highest certification level, involving a more rigorous test on an organisation's system by a 3rd party. It has the elements of Cyber Essentials but includes a technical verification where a security expert will perform vulnerability tests to ensure your organisation is protected.

The audits verify that Cyber Essentials controls are in place and confirm you meet the minimum criteria and have adequate defences against threats.

In Cyber Essentials Plus:

 

  • An audit is done to ensure your organisation's devices are securely configured to meet the scheme specifications.
  • The auditor will scan some of your organisation's systems for vulnerabilities to confirm proper patching and basic configuration.
  • A test is conducted on browsers and email providers to ensure appropriate security measures are in place.

Cyber Essentials vs Cyber Essentials Plus

Cyber Essentials involves self-assessment where the business or applicant must be able to answer the questions that give evidence of implementing the five technical controls. The Plus version includes the five technical controls and an additional security audit by an assessor.

Why Your Business Needs to Be Cyber Essentials Certified

No matter how small your firm is, you will likely be a target of cyber attacks, especially if you operate online. Becoming Cyber Essentials certified indicates that your business is proactive against malicious attacks and is protected from around 80% of attacks. Here are some reasons your business needs Cyber Essentials certification.

  • Reassure customers that you take the security of your IT systems seriously.
  • It demonstrates to your investors, insurers and other stakeholders that you have the minimum precautions to safeguard your business against cyber threats.
  • It gives you a clear picture of your business protection level against cyber threats.
  • You stand a chance to apply and win government contracts that require Cyber Essentials certification.
  • Cyber Essentials is a simple and effective UK Government backed scheme.
  • It is backed by the Federation of Small Business, the CBI and most insurance organisations.

We will assist you by ensuring that your business stays secure and compliant by making sure you meet all the requirements for being certified.

 

The Five Key Cyber Essential Controls

Boundary Firewalls and Internet Gateways

Cyber Essentials include an assessment of your firewall and internet gateways. This is crucial because a well-configured firewall can deter beaches before they penetrate your network, while an internet gateway can block threats before they affect your website.

Secure Configuration

Checking your system setup and configuration is part of the certification process. The check will ensure that you remove unused software and services and default passwords from your system to reduce the number of vulnerabilities.

Access Control

Your system should be restricted and accessible to trusted users, with each having a username and a secure password to enable them to log in. Use an administrator account only when installing trusted and known software. Also, passwords and other access should be deleted immediately after a staff member leaves your organisation.

Malware Protection

Your system needs protection from malware that is designed to destroy it. Cyber Essentials ensure that you have antivirus products and keep them up-to-date to detect and prevent threats.

Patch Management and Software Updates

You must maintain your computer and software and fix any security vulnerabilities to ensure it runs smoothly. Software like antivirus and anti-malware need constant updates to provide adequate protection, so you should regularly check for updates.

How to Prepare for a Cyber Essentials Assessment

Note that if you choose to complete the Cyber Essentials or Cyber Essentials Plus certification, a failure in one component will lead to a failure in all. Here are tips to assist you in preparing for your Cyber Essentials assessment.

Ensure anti-malware
Ensure anti-malware is installed on all your computer devices and regularly updated. It will guarantee protection against malicious software.

Email security
Email security should be in place. Ensure that your gateway is configured to block harmful files sent by email.

Security protection
Before you take the assessment, you should ensure that your software is up-to-date with the right security protection.

Operating systems
Patch and test all operating systems and software.

Multi-factor authentication
Everyone using your system must have a secure password and change them regularly. Multi-factor authentication should be enabled for systems with high-level controls.

Comply and Protect Your Organisation System with Mindfire Cyber Essentials Certification

Our Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus certifications give your organisation a clear view of what must be in place to reduce the risk of attacks if you operate an online business. At Mindfire, our cyber security experts will assist in securing your system, even if you have a low technical capacity.

With our help, your business will meet all the requirements for the certification. Comply and win your customers' trust, safeguard your system against 80% of attacks, detect data theft, drive efficiency, save cost and promote your commitment to cyber security.

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Protect your business

If you are looking for reliable and efficient solutions to enhance your business operations, Mindfire is the perfect partner for you. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you achieve your goals. Whether you need Cyber Security Services, Managed Security Services (MSS), Consulting Services, Cyber Risk Management Services, Cloud Services, Digital Services, or Digital Transformation, our team of experts is here to assist you every step of the way. Don't hesitate to get in touch with us and take your business to the next level with Mindfire.