Cyber Essential Plus: An amazing framework for UK businesses in 2024

1. Cyber Essentials Plus, what is it ? 

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, ensuring robust cybersecurity has never been more crucial. For many businesses in the United Kingdom, navigating the complexities of safeguarding sensitive information can be daunting. This is where Cyber Essentials Plus comes into play. Building on the foundation laid by the Cyber Essentials scheme, CE Plus offers an enhanced level of security certification designed to tackle more sophisticated threats. 

Increase your Cyber Defences with Cyber Essentials Plus

In this blog, we’ll explore what the framework entails, why it’s an essential step for businesses looking to bolster their cyber defences, and how achieving this certification can protect your organisation and build trust with clients and partners. Whether you’re new to cybersecurity or looking to elevate your existing practices, understanding CE Plus is a key step towards securing your digital environment.

Cyber Essentials Plus is an advanced cybersecurity certification scheme designed to help organisations in the United Kingdom protect themselves against common cyber threats. It builds upon the foundational CE certification, offering higher assurance and more rigorous testing.

At its core, CE Plus is a framework aimed at ensuring that an organisation has implemented essential security measures to safeguard against cyber-attacks. The certification process involves a detailed assessment of an organisation’s IT infrastructure, focusing on areas critical to cybersecurity. Here’s a closer look at what makes CE Plus distinct:

• In-Depth Security Testing: Unlike the standard CE certification, which relies on a self-assessment questionnaire, CE Plus includes a comprehensive external vulnerability scan and an internal assessment. This means that a certified assessor will perform hands-on testing of your systems, checking for vulnerabilities that cybercriminals could exploit. This rigorous approach helps identify weaknesses that might not be apparent through self-assessment alone.
• Stronger Protection Measures: CE Plus verifies that your organisation has implemented stringent security controls. This includes ensuring firewalls, antivirus software, and secure configuration settings are in place and effectively functioning. The certification also reviews how well your organisation manages user access and monitors for potential security breaches.
• Regular Reviews and Updates: Achieving CE Plus is not a one-time event but an ongoing process. The certification requires regular reviews and updates to ensure security measures remain effective against evolving cyber threats. This continuous improvement approach helps organisations avoid potential vulnerabilities and adapt to new risks.
• Enhanced Assurance for Stakeholders: CE Plus is a powerful tool for many businesses to build trust with clients and partners. The certification proves that your organisation takes cybersecurity seriously and has implemented robust measures to protect sensitive data. This can be particularly valuable when competing for contracts or dealing with clients prioritising security.

In summary, Cyber Essentials Plus offers a higher level of security assurance by incorporating rigorous testing and continuous improvement. It’s designed to help organisations meet basic cybersecurity standards and demonstrate a proactive approach to protecting against cyber threats. By achieving this certification, businesses can enhance their security posture, build trust with stakeholders, and better safeguard their valuable information.

Attaining Cyber Essentials Plus

Achieving CE Plus is a significant milestone in bolstering your organisation’s cybersecurity. The process involves several critical steps, each designed to ensure your systems meet stringent security standards. Here’s a comprehensive guide to navigating the journey towards CE Plus certification:

• Understand the Requirements: Before embarking on the certification process, familiarise yourself with Cyber Essentials Plus’ requirements. This certification builds upon the basic CE framework, focusing on more in-depth security measures. Review the specific criteria for security controls, including firewalls, secure configurations, access controls, and malware protection.

• Conduct a Self-Assessment: Start by completing the CE self-assessment questionnaire. This initial step helps identify any immediate gaps in your security posture and provides a baseline for the improvements needed. The self-assessment covers fundamental areas such as network security, user access management, and software updates.

• Implement Necessary Security Measures: Based on the findings from your self-assessment, implement the required security controls. This includes:
  • Firewalls: Ensure your firewall is properly configured to protect against unauthorised access and threats.
  • Secure Configuration: Configure all systems and applications with security best practices to minimise vulnerabilities.
  • User Access Control: Manage user access rights and permissions effectively to prevent unauthorised data access.
  • Malware Protection: Deploy and maintain up-to-date antivirus and anti-malware solutions to detect and mitigate threats.
  • Engage a Certification Body: To achieve Cyber Essentials Plus, you must work with an accredited certification body. Choose a body that is authorised to conduct the certification process and schedule an assessment. The certification body will conduct both the external vulnerability scan and the internal assessment.

• Undergo External Vulnerability Scanning: The certification body will perform an external vulnerability scan of your IT infrastructure. This scan evaluates your systems for potential weaknesses that external attackers could exploit. Ensure your network is prepared for this scan by addressing known vulnerabilities and ensuring all security measures are operational.
• Complete the Internal Assessment: An internal assessment involves a thorough examination of your systems and processes by a qualified assessor. This step includes reviewing your security configurations, access controls, and incident response procedures. The assessor will verify that your organisation’s security measures align with the CE Plus requirements.

External Cyber Essentials Plus Audit

• Address Findings and Improve: After the assessment, the certification body will provide a report detailing any findings or areas that require improvement. Address these issues promptly and implement necessary changes to enhance your security posture. This may involve further configuration adjustments, updates to security policies, or additional staff training.
• Achieve Certification: Once you have addressed any findings and the certification body is satisfied with your security measures, you will be awarded the CE Plus certification. This certificate is valid for one year, after which you must undergo a re-assessment to maintain your certification.
• Maintain and Review: Achieving CE Plus is not the journey’s end. Regularly review and update your security measures to keep pace with evolving threats. Ensure ongoing compliance with the CE Plus requirements and prepare for future assessments to maintain your certification status.

By following these steps, your organisation can achieve CE Plus certification, demonstrating a solid commitment to cybersecurity and enhancing your ability to protect against cyber threats. 

The following articles may be of interest.

https://lanet.co.uk/2023/05/03/azure-assessment/

https://lanet.co.uk/2022/03/12/how-not-to-secure-your-environment/