When it comes to strengthening your business’s cybersecurity posture, IASME (Information Assurance for Small and Medium Enterprise Consortium) offers two levels of certification:
Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus.
In this Blog post, Creative Networks will discover the Difference Between Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus comprehensively.
Both certifications provide a robust framework to protect against common cyber threats, but they differ in their approach and depth. Understanding these distinctions can help businesses decide which certification is right for them.
The cyber threat landscape is increasingly perilous, putting countless businesses at risk of cyberattacks. According to the Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2024, half of UK businesses and around a third of charities experienced a cybersecurity breach or attack in the past year. The figures are even higher for Medium and Large businesses, at 70% and 74% respectively. Despite the rising number of cyberattacks, fewer businesses are seeking external cybersecurity guidance compared to previous years.
What is Cyber Essentials
Cyber Essentials is the basic level of certification designed to provide a foundation of cybersecurity for businesses.
It focuses on five key controls that can protect against around 80% of common cyber attacks, making it an effective starting point for organisations looking to enhance their security posture.
Key Features:
Self-Assessment
Businesses complete a self-assessment questionnaire to demonstrate that they have implemented the necessary security measures. This process involves evaluating the current security practises and ensuring they align with the Cyber Essentials requirements. The self-assessment is typically reviewed by a certification body to ensure compliance.
Five Key Controls as Cyber Essentials
- Firewalls: Block unauthorised access and allow only safe traffic through firewalls and internet gateways.
- Secure Configuration: Secure systems by removing unused accounts, changing default settings, and implementing strong configurations.
- Access Control: Ensure only authorized individuals can access sensitive information with strong user access controls.
- Malware Protection: Use antivirus software and regular scans to protect against malicious software.
- Patch Management: Keep software updated with the latest security patches to fix vulnerabilities
Cost-Effective
Cyber Essentials is generally lower cost and quicker to achieve compared to Cyber Essential Plus. It is an excellent option for small to medium-sized businesses or those just starting to implement cybersecurity measures.
Certification Validity
The certification is valid for one year, requiring annual renewal to maintain the certification. This ensures that businesses continue to adhere to the necessary security standards and update their practises as needed.
By implementing these key controls, businesses can significantly reduce their risk of cyber attacks and demonstrate their commitment to cybersecurity to customers and partners.
Cyber Essentials provides a practical and cost-effective approach to securing your organisation and laying the groundwork for more advanced cybersecurity measures in the future.
What is Cyber Essentials Plus
Cyber Essentials Plus Certification offers an enhanced level of certification that includes an independent assessment of your security controls.
It builds on the Cyber Essentials framework but provides greater assurance through rigorous testing and validation by an external assessor.
Key Features:
Independent Verification
An external assessor conducts a thorough audit and vulnerability scan to verify the implementation and effectiveness of security controls. This independent verification provides an unbiased evaluation of your security measures, ensuring they meet the required standards.
Enhanced Assurance
Cyber Essentials Plus provides a higher level of assurance due to the hands-on technical verification performed by the assessor. This process involves practical tests and checks that go beyond the self-assessment in the basic Cyber Essentials certification.
Detailed Testing
The assessment includes more rigorous testing, such as simulated attacks to test defences and a review of user devices to ensure compliance with security standards. This detailed testing ensures that all security controls are functioning as intended and can withstand real-world threats.
Five Key Controls in Cyber Essentials Plus
Cyber Essentials Plus covers the same five key controls as Cyber Essentials but with a deeper assessment:
- Firewalls: Verifies effectiveness in blocking unauthorised access and ensuring safe traffic.
- Secure Configuration: Checks that systems are securely configured, with unused accounts removed and default settings changed.
- Access Control: Reviews user access controls to ensure only authorized individuals can access sensitive information.
- Malware Protection: Tests anti-malware solutions to ensure effective protection against malicious software.
- Patch Management: Ensures all software is up-to-date with the latest security patches applied.
Certification Validity
Cyber Essentials Plus certification is valid for one year, with the requirement of annual renewal. This ensures that businesses continue to adhere to the highest security standards and update their practises as needed to maintain robust cybersecurity defences.
By opting for Cyber Essentials Plus, businesses can demonstrate a higher level of cybersecurity readiness and gain greater confidence in their ability to protect against cyber threats.
This enhanced certification is ideal for organisations that handle sensitive data, are subject to regulatory requirements, or simply want to ensure their security measures are thoroughly validated by an independent expert.
Comparison between Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus
Which Certification is Right for Your Business?
Choosing between Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus depends on several factors, including your business size, resources, and security needs:
Cyber Essentials
• Ideal for Small to Medium-Sized Businesses
Cyber Essentials is perfect for small to medium-sized businesses or those just beginning to implement cybersecurity measures. It provides a practical, cost-effective starting point for enhancing your security posture.
• Cost-Effective Security
Suitable for organisations looking for a cost-effective way to demonstrate basic cybersecurity practises. The self-assessment process is straightforward and less expensive than an external audit, making it accessible for businesses with limited budgets.
• Establishing a Cybersecurity Baseline
Cyber Essentials helps establish a strong cybersecurity foundation by focusing on five critical security controls: firewalls, secure configuration, access control, malware protection, and patch management. This baseline can protect against around 80% of common cyber attacks, significantly reducing your risk.
Cyber Essentials Plus
• Better Suited for Larger Organisations
Cyber Essentials Plus is ideal for larger organisations or those with more complex IT infrastructures. The enhanced level of certification involves independent verification, which provides a deeper and more comprehensive assessment of your security measures.
• Higher Level of Assurance
Perfect for businesses requiring a higher level of assurance due to industry regulations, client requirements, or handling of sensitive data. The rigorous testing and hands-on technical verification provide greater confidence in your cybersecurity defences.
• Thorough Validation of Security Controls
Cyber Essentials Plus offers a more thorough validation of your security controls through detailed testing, including simulated attacks and reviews of user devices. This comprehensive approach ensures that all security measures are effective and can withstand real-world threats.
Both IASME Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus play crucial roles in enhancing your business’s cybersecurity posture. Cyber Essentials is an excellent starting point for smaller businesses or those new to cybersecurity, offering a cost-effective way to establish fundamental protections.
On the other hand, Cyber Essentials Plus is suited for larger organisations or those needing higher assurance levels, providing a deeper, independent evaluation of security controls.
Contact Creative Networks Today
By understanding the distinctions between these certifications, businesses can make informed decisions about which path to take based on their specific security needs and resources.
At Creative Networks, we can guide you through the process of achieving the right certification for your business, helping you strengthen your Cybersecurity Defences and gain the confidence you need to operate securely.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your journey towards Cyber Essentials or Cyber Essentials Plus certification.
