The continued relevance of Cyber Essentials

Cyber security is never out of the news and the role of technology in our daily lives and our businesses means it can never be taken lightly.

Cyber criminals regard businesses, particularly small businesses, as easy targets since many are often under protected, leaving many wondering how they can ever gain the upper hand.

The good news is that businesses can take the initiative by certifying against the UK government’s Cyber Essentials certification scheme.

This scheme has been running since 2014, and in 2021 more than 25,000 certificates were awarded (a 37 per cent rise on 2020). This is clear evidence that many businesses take cyber security seriously.

Why is Cyber Essentials so popular? The scheme delivers tangible benefits by providing businesses with insight into their cyber security, showing what they do well and where they may need to improve.

It also provides demonstrable, independent assurance to customers and suppliers that a business is taking steps to protect itself.

In effect, Cyber Essentials is a business differentiator, giving businesses a competitive advantage over less diligent rivals.

Businesses that wish to take on contracts with the NHS, UK government, and the Ministry of Defence, must have Cyber Essentials, and the scheme is becoming effectively mandatory for many private sectors, such as finance, and insurance.

Businesses without Cyber Essentials are not only at an everincreasing risk of attack, but are also likely to be disadvantaged in the market place and fall behind their competitors, which is all the more important in the current economic climate.

Can your business manage these risks effectively without Cyber Essentials?