What are the most common mistakes businesses make during Cyber Essentials Plus audits?

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Common Mistakes Businesses Make During Cyber Essentials Plus Audits

Achieving a Cyber Essentials certification is a crucial step for any business looking to bolster their cyber security posture, and many go aim higher to the Plus certification. However, many businesses stumble during the audit process, leading to delays or even failure to achieve certification. In this article, we will explore the most common mistakes businesses make during Cyber Essentials Plus audits and how to avoid them.

What is Cyber Essentials Plus?

Cyber Essentials Plus is an expansion on the regular Cyber Essentials standard. It requires an external audit by a verified auditor, who will test to see that all processes and controls that were declared in the self-assessment, have actually been implemented into the organisation. If any issues are detected during the auditing process, the business has a grace period of 30 days to remediate any gaps, otherwise the audit will be deemed a failure, and no certification will be granted.

Businesses often struggle during the audit process, and many will miss certification due to easily avoidable factors, which we will examine below:

1. Lack of Preparation

One of the most significant mistakes businesses make is failing to prepare adequately for the audit. Many businesses underestimate the complexity and rigour of the Cyber Essentials requirements and do not allocate enough time or resources to meet them.

How to Avoid This Mistake:

Conduct a Pre-Audit Assessment: Before the official audit, perform an internal review of your systems and processes against the Cyber Essentials requirements. This will help identify gaps and areas needing improvement.

Utilise Compliance Software: Tools like OneClickComply can automate the technical implementation of controls outlined by standards like Cyber Essentials, allowing businesses to instantly and easily meet the requirements of the standard in only a few clicks.

2. Inaccurate Documentation

Many businesses fail to maintain comprehensive records of their security measures, which can lead to issues during the audit. It is also common for businesses to fill in the self-assessment with draft or template information, then forget to make adjustments to the information before submission. This results in documentation that doesn’t reflect current security practices.

How to Avoid This Mistake:

Maintain Detailed Records: Ensure that all security measures, configurations, and updates are documented thoroughly. This includes keeping logs of firewall settings, user access controls, and software updates.

Use OneClickComply for Documentation: OneClickComply can help you generate and store required documentation, even automatically filling out the self-assessment in order to ensure total accuracy when outlining your implemented controls.

3. Ignoring Technical Controls

Cyber Essentials focuses on five key technical controls: firewalls, secure configuration, user access control, malware protection, and patch management. Businesses can easily overlook one or more of these areas, which can lead to non-compliance and a failed audit.

How to Avoid This Mistake:

Review Each Control Thoroughly: Make sure that each of the five technical controls is implemented correctly and functioning as intended. Regularly review and update these controls as needed both prior to, and following the audit.

Automate Updates: Use automation tools like OneClickComply to ensure that all aspects of the standard are implemented correctly, with the continuous monitoring constantly checking for changes or drift within your compliance posture.

4. Underestimating User Access Control

Many smaller businesses fail to implement proper user access controls, allowing unauthorised employees unrestricted access to sensitive information. This oversight can lead to significant security risks if not addressed properly, and is a common cause of audit failure across all industries and standards.

How to Avoid This Mistake:

Implement Least Privilege Access: Ensure that users only have access to the information necessary for their roles. Regularly review access permissions and adjust them as needed.

Educate Employees: Conduct training sessions on the importance of cybersecurity and proper access control practices.

5. Neglecting Continuous Monitoring

Compliance with cyber security standards is not a one-time effort, and requires a pro-active approach to keep your business secure. Organisations often neglect continuous monitoring of their systems, which can lead to undetected vulnerabilities within your security.

How to Avoid This Mistake:

Establish a Monitoring Routine: Set up regular checks and audits of your cybersecurity measures to ensure they remain effective over time.

Leverage Continuous Monitoring Tools: Integrate compliance software like OneClickComply that offers continuous monitoring features to keep track of your compliance status in real-time, and easily remediate issues in a single click.

Conclusion

Avoiding these common mistakes can significantly enhance your chances of successfully achieving a Cyber Essentials Plus certification. By preparing properly, maintaining thorough documentation, focusing on technical controls, implementing strict user access policies, and committing to continuous monitoring, businesses can not only pass their audits with ease, but also strengthen their overall cyber security posture.