How can small businesses achieve Cyber Essentials?

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How Small Businesses Can Achieve Cyber Essentials

For many small businesses up and down the United Kingdom, the idea of having strong cyber defences protecting their daily operations is unobtainable. Cyber security has long been seen as something highly complex and almost mystic, however this shouldn’t be the case. In many cases, achieving a Cyber Essentials certification is not only achievable, but is also a significant step towards safeguarding sensitive data and demonstrating a growing commitment to proper cyber hygiene. This blog will guide you through the process of obtaining Cyber Essentials certification, highlighting the benefits and how OneClickComply can assist in this journey.

What is Cyber Essentials?

Cyber Essentials is a UK Government-backed certification scheme designed to help small-to-medium sized businesses protect themselves against some of the most common cyber threats by implementing basic cyber security measures. The certification is able to block around 80% of common threats, and is particularly beneficial for any businesses looking to establish credibility and trust with clients and partners.

Why is Cyber Essentials Important for Small Businesses?

Achieving Cyber Essentials certification offers several advantages:

Enhanced Security: By following the Cyber Essentials framework, small businesses can significantly improve their cyber security posture.

Competitive Advantage: Certification demonstrates to clients and stakeholders that your business takes cyber security seriously, which can be a significant advantage when competing with other businesses for opportunities.

Access to Government Contracts: Many UK Government contracts require a valid Cyber Essentials certification, making it vital for small businesses looking to work with public sector organisations.

Steps to Achieve Cyber Essentials Certification

1. Understand the Requirements

The Cyber Essentials framework consists of five key areas that businesses must address by putting appropriate measures in place:

Firewalls: Ensure that your network is protected by secure firewalls.

Secure Configuration: Implement secure settings on devices and software to minimise vulnerabilities.

User Access Control: Manage user access rights to ensure that only authorised personnel can access sensitive information, and that employees only have access to the bare minimum to carry out their responsibilities.

Malware Protection: Install and maintain anti-malware software to protect against malicious attacks.

Patch Management: Regularly update software and systems to fix vulnerabilities, whether by scheduling patches or manually reviewing for vendor updates.

2. Conduct a Self-Assessment

The first step towards certification is completing the self-assessment, essentially “marking your own homework.” You will assess your current security measures against those outlined in the framework, explaining what has been implemented in order to meet the requirements, and why.

3. Implement Necessary Changes

Based on your answers to the self-assessment, you should identify areas that need improvement. This may involve investing in new technology, updating existing systems, or providing training for staff on cyber security best practices.

4. Submit Your Application

Once you have made the necessary changes, you can submit your application for Cyber Essentials certification. This typically involves filling out an online questionnaire that details your compliance with the five key areas of the framework. It is important to note that filling in the form with false information can lead to legal and reputational repercussions if detected. While the base Cyber Essentials standard is self-assessed, Cyber Essentials Plus requires an external audit to verify your implementation, which will likely uncover any incorrect declarations made in the form.

5. Continuous Monitoring and Improvement

Achieving certification is not the end of the journey. While it may be tempting to rest on your laurels once your business is certified, it’s important to continue to check your compliance against emerging threats. This process is known as Continuous Monitoring, and is where OneClickComply can play a vital role.

How OneClickComply Can Help

OneClickComply simplifies the process of achieving and maintaining Cyber Essentials certification. With its user-friendly platform, small businesses can easily track their compliance status, automate the technical work outlined by the standard, and monitor for any changes to their security posture, with a OneClickFix available to remediate detected issues.

Conclusion

Achieving a Cyber Essentials certification is a valuable investment for any small businesses looking to enhance their cybersecurity posture and build trust with their network. By following the outlined steps, and utilising truly automated solutions like OneClickComply, small businesses can confidently achieve certification, boosting their defences, and protecting their data against the ever-evolving tide of cyber threats.