Establishing a basic cyber security framework and establishing good practice is essential to achieving a strong cyber security posture. In this article we will look at the benefits of the Cyber Essentials and how implementing this cost-effective measure with PureCyber can benefit your business.

What is Cyber Essentials?

Cyber Essentials is a UK Government backed scheme aimed at small and medium businesses with little to no existing cyber security controls. It can be attained by organisations of any size however, in Ireland, Wales, England or Scotland.

Cyber Essentials can help you implement the basic cyber security controls every organisation should have to protect against most common cyber-attacks, from ransomware to phishing. This includes password management, access control, multi factor authentication and incident management.

As such, the accreditation process includes a questionnaire reviewing 5 overall areas of control: Firewall, Access Controls, Secure Update Management, malware protection and secure configuration.

This can allow a business to assess their current level of cyber security and what they need to remediate.

So, what are the benefits of Cyber Essentials?

The Importance of Basic Controls

Ransomware remains a major threat and is predicted to only grow further in 2024. AI technology has allowed malicious actors to create increasingly sophisticated and convincing attack vectors, from deep fake social engineering attacks to phishing emails. Implementing basic cyber security measures such as multi-factor authentication, zero trust architecture and teaching your employees how to spot phishing has become more important than ever to protect against both common and emerging threats. Read more about 2024 Cyber Trends in our blog here.  

Safeguarding Sensitive Data

Implementing the cyber essential framework can help your business create a more secure environment when managing data. Reviewing and strengthening your access controls for example, can help you to protect sensitive information from unauthorized access within a business or from external threats.

Boost Your Reputation

Achieving this certification can assure your customers and clients that you take the safety and security of their data seriously, and in doing so boost your reputation and open up new competitive opportunities. As data breaches become ever more prevalent in the news, creating a strong cyber security posture is critical to retain trust and stand out from your competition. Protecting your reputation as a trusted partner within your supply chain is as equally important.  

Regulatory Compliance

Achieving cyber essentials helps to ensure you are compliant with the latest regulations in your industry and data protection laws. Certain UK Government contracts also require cyber essentials certification. Achieving this certification can give you a crucial competitive advantage over businesses who have yet to implement governance standards.

A Cost-Effective Approach

Implementing cyber security measures is often perceived as an expensive process. Yet, the cost of a cyber-attack greatly exceeds investment in preventative measures. Cyber Essentials offers a pragmatic and affordable solution to businesses of all sizes and their cyber security needs.

Mitigating Downtime

A long period of downtime can prove as costly for a business in the event of a cyber-attack as the financial implication of the attack itself. In addition to financial and data loss a cyber-attack can result in significant loss of productivity. By having basic processes and policies in place businesses can mitigate these implications, ensure continuity, and minimise disruption to your operations.

Stay Ahead of Threats

As cyber threats continually evolve, cyber essentials is designed to adapt to emerging cyber trends, providing businesses with a proactive approach to cybersecurity. Staying ahead of these trends is crucial for maintaining a resilient and dynamic defence against evolving threats.

Why Choose PureCyber as Your Cyber Essentials partner

As a long-standing certification body of Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus, PureCyber and our cyber experts are here to guide you through the process of attaining this governance standard and beginning your cyber security journey.  

Visit our FAQ section for more answers to common questions about Cyber Essentials or get in touch by clicking the button below and start your cyber security journey with PureCyber today.