A recognised cybersecurity certification protects businesses against online threats. The problem is, relatively few know about them. According to the government’s 2022 cyber breach report, only 6% of UK businesses have an active accreditation. Cybersecurity certifications provide a robust security framework that helps businesses defend against attacks and demonstrate their commitment to cybersecurity best practices
Cyber Security
![](https://www.optivity.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/crisis.png)
![](https://www.optivity.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/salary.png)
£4,200 – £19,400 The average cost of a cybersecurity attack
![](https://www.optivity.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.png)
50% Of businesses have experienced ransomware
![](https://www.optivity.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/budget.png)
85% Of SMEs are increasing their security budgets
Benefits of having Cyber Security Certification
- Protect against cyber threats : Cybersecurity certifications provide a framework that outlines the tools, processes, and policies businesses must implement to protect themselves against online threats. Even entry-level certifications, like Cyber Essentials,
give SMEs everything they need to identify and mitigate cyber risks. - Build trust with customers : A cybersecurity accreditation is like a hallmark for SMEs. It shows prospects, customers, suppliers, and partners that they operate to the highest cybersecurity standards. In practice, this means they’ve implanted the appropriate systems, processes, and policies to secure company data.
This provides peace of mind, which builds trust and strengthens
their reputation. - Comply with data privacy regulations : A cybersecurity accreditation is like a hallmark for SMEs. It shows prospects, customers, suppliers, and partners that they operate to the highest cybersecurity standards. In practice, this means they’ve implanted the appropriate systems, processes, and policies to secure company data. This provides peace of mind, which builds trust and strengthens their reputation.
Choose Cyber Essentials Certificate
The Cyber Essentials scheme is a UK cybersecurity certification that outlines the security procedures a company should have in place to secure their data. Cyber Essentials is highly recommended for SMEs because this certification protects you against 98.5% of the most common cyber threats.
![](https://www.optivity.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/cyberEssentials-1.png)
To achieve a Cyber Essentials certification, you must complete a self-assessment questionnaire and submit it through an online portal. Once you’ve applied, a certification body assesses and grades the application.
![](https://www.optivity.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/cyberEssentials_PLUS.png)
Cyber Essentials Plus follows the same simple approach and offers the same benefits as Cyber Essentials. However, it differs in one key aspect; Cyber Essentials Plus includes a technical audit of your system. The controls are the same, the audit just ensures they’re in place and properly configured. The audit process takes a little more effort than the standard certification, but it’s worth it for the peace of mind that your security is up to standard.
Which Cyber Essential Certificate is best for your Business ?
Choose Cyber Essentials if….
- you’re an SME that wants to protect its digital assets from
cybercrime - you’re looking to achieve certification to get on the public
register - you want to win new business by displaying your cyber
credentials
Choose Cyber Essentials plus if….
- you want a thorough assessment of your cybersecurity
measures, plus a certification. - you work with (or want to work with) high-quality clients
and want to show them that data protection is a top priority. - you work in an industry with higher-than-standard
cybersecurity requirements.
Why Choose optivITy for Cyber security Solutions ?
- We are Cyber Smart Certified Providers.
- We’re fast: We commit to getting you certified as quickly as possible, often in a matter of hours rather than weeks
- Unlimited guidance : We offer step-by-step guidance through the process and unlimited live support to get you passed quickly and first time.
- You’ll pass first time : Our experienced engineers will help you pass the certifications in one go.
- No charges for extra submissions : Unlike other providers, we only charge once for the submission and assessment of your answers. If you answer a question incorrectly, our auditors simply send back that question – complete with guidance on how to make the answer compliant.
- Upgrading to Cyber Essentials Plus is simple: If you wish to go a step further, we also offer Cyber Essentials Plus. It’s a simple upgrade within 90 days of completing Cyber Essentials. And, like all our certifications, our Cyber Essentials Plus is assessed by our team of expert.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is a cybersecurity certification?
Cybersecurity certifications provide a robust security framework that helps businesses defend against attacks and demonstrate their commitment to cybersecurity best practices. Only 6% of UK businesses have a Cyber Essentials certification.
We have an internal IT team. Why do we need MSP support?
Managed service providers support businesses throughout the certification process. Some even complete the relevant forms on the customer’s behalf and guide them through external audits.
The certification process is long and expensive.
It costs significantly less to complete a cybersecurity certification than it does to recover from a successful attack.
We’re protected, so why do we need a certificate?
A cybersecurity accreditation demonstrates a business’ commitment to cybersecurity, which helps to build trust with prospects and customers.
89% of businesses say improving cybersecurity builds customer loyalty and trust.
It isn’t mandatory, so why bother?
A recognised cybersecurity accreditation unlocks opportunities and helps businesses win new customers by establishing their cyber credentials.
89% of businesses say cybersecurity is a key competitive differentiator.