Cyber Essentials (Plus) Support & Certification

Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus are UK government-backed certification schemes designed to help organizations protect themselves against common cyber threats. They provide a clear framework for improving cybersecurity and demonstrating a commitment to safeguarding sensitive data.

Cyber Essentials

Overview: A self-assessment certification that ensures your organization meets basic cybersecurity standards.

Focus Areas: Protects against threats such as phishing attacks, malware, and hacking.

Certification Process: Requires completion of a self-assessment questionnaire, reviewed by an accredited certification body.

Cyber Essentials Plus

Overview: An advanced certification that builds on Cyber Essentials. It includes a hands-on technical verification process conducted by an independent auditor.

Focus Areas: Validates the practical implementation of cybersecurity controls, providing a higher level of assurance.

Certification Process: Involves rigorous testing of systems, devices, and processes to ensure compliance with the standards.

The cost of implementing Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus depends on several factors, including your organization’s size, complexity, and existing cybersecurity measures. At HC Shield, we offer tailored solutions to make the certification process cost-effective and efficient, ensuring compliance without unnecessary expenses.

Factors Influencing the Cost

Organization Size and Complexity
Larger organizations with more complex systems may require additional time and resources to meet certification requirements.

Current Cybersecurity Maturity
If your organization already has robust security measures in place, such as policies aligned with other frameworks like ISO 27001, the cost and effort to achieve certification may be lower.

Certification Level

Cyber Essentials: The self-assessment certification typically involves lower costs as it focuses on meeting basic security requirements.

Cyber Essentials Plus: Involves hands-on technical verification and testing by an independent auditor, which can increase the cost.

Support and Guidance
Partnering with experienced consultants like HC Shield ensures a streamlined process, reducing costs associated with delays or non-compliance.

Achieving Cyber Essentials or Cyber Essentials Plus certification delivers significant business advantages, including:

Protection Against Cyber Threats: Safeguards your organization from 80% of common cyberattacks, such as phishing and malware.

Enhanced Reputation: Demonstrates your commitment to cybersecurity, building trust with clients and stakeholders.

Compliance with Regulations: Meets government and industry-specific cybersecurity requirements, including eligibility for public sector contracts.

Cost Efficiency: Reduces the risk of costly breaches and may lower cyber insurance premiums.

Competitive Edge: Positions your business as a secure and reliable partner, attracting more customers.

HC Shield provides expert guidance to help you achieve Cyber Essentials certification efficiently and effectively. Contact us today to strengthen your cybersecurity and unlock these benefits.

The timeline for achieving Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus depends on your organization’s readiness and existing cybersecurity measures:

Cyber Essentials: Typically completed within a few days to 2 weeks, as it involves a self-assessment questionnaire.

Cyber Essentials Plus: Usually takes 2–4 weeks, as it includes a hands-on technical audit and verification by an independent assessor.

HC Shield streamlines the certification process, providing expert guidance and tailored support to help your organization achieve compliance efficiently and on schedule.

Contact HC Shield today to fast-track your Cyber Essentials certification journey.

Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus are certification schemes designed to protect organizations against common cyber threats, but they differ in their assessment process:

Cyber Essentials: A self-assessment certification that ensures your organization meets basic cybersecurity requirements.

Cyber Essentials Plus: An advanced certification that includes an independent, hands-on technical verification to validate your security measures.

Both certifications demonstrate a commitment to cybersecurity, but Cyber Essentials Plus offers a higher level of assurance to clients and stakeholders.

HC Shield provides expert guidance for both certifications, helping you achieve compliance quickly and efficiently. Contact us today to get started.

What is the Difference Between Cyber Essentials Plus and ISO 27001?

Cyber Essentials Plus and ISO 27001 are both critical for improving cybersecurity, but they differ in scope and approach:

Cyber Essentials Plus: A UK-specific certification focused on protecting organizations against common cyber threats through hands-on technical verification. It offers a streamlined approach to achieving baseline security.

ISO 27001: A globally recognized standard that establishes a comprehensive Information Security Management System (ISMS). It focuses on identifying, managing, and mitigating a wide range of security risks, with an emphasis on continual improvement.

While Cyber Essentials Plus provides a foundation for cybersecurity, ISO 27001 offers a more extensive, risk-based framework for advanced security management.

HC Shield specializes in helping organizations achieve both certifications, tailoring solutions to your unique needs. Contact us today to strengthen your cybersecurity posture.

Achieving Cyber Essentials Plus compliance requires implementing key policies that demonstrate your organization’s commitment to cybersecurity best practices. Essential policies include:

Access Control Policy: Ensures only authorized personnel can access sensitive systems and data.

Patch Management Policy: Outlines processes for applying security updates to software and devices.

Malware Protection Policy: Details measures to prevent and detect malicious software.

Firewall and Network Security Policy: Establishes controls to protect networks from unauthorized access.

Secure Configuration Policy: Ensures devices and systems are configured securely to reduce vulnerabilities.

HC Shield provides tailored templates and expert guidance to help you develop, implement, and align these policies with Cyber Essentials Plus requirements.

Contact HC Shield today for seamless Cyber Essentials Plus compliance support.

A Cyber Essentials Plus audit is conducted by an independent assessor from a certification body accredited by IASME Consortium, the governing body for Cyber Essentials. 

The assessor verifies your organization's compliance through hands-on technical testing of systems, devices, and processes to ensure robust protection against cyber threats.

HC Shield partners with IASME-accredited certification bodies to facilitate the Cyber Essentials Plus audit process. Our expert consultants prepare your organization for the audit, ensuring a smooth and successful compliance journey.

Contact HC Shield today to achieve Cyber Essentials Plus certification with confidence.