An Ofqual Recognised Awarding Organisation

The Government-endorsed Cyber Essentials scheme enables organisations to be certified independently for having met a good-practice standard in cyber security.

Cyber Essentials is a Government-backed, industry-supported scheme to help organisations protect themselves against common online threats.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cyber-essentials-scheme-overview

Cyber Essentials

The Government-endorsed Cyber Essentials scheme enables organisations to be certified independently for having met a good-practice standard in cybersecurity. It requires them to enact basic technical controls across five areas: boundary firewalls and internet gateways, secure configurations, user access controls, malware protection, and patch management (applying software updates). The survey findings show that half of all businesses (51%) have implemented all of the technical controls under Cyber Essentials. Charities are less likely than businesses to have implemented all of the Cyber Essentials technical controls (29%, versus 51% of businesses).

The Government worked with the Information Assurance for Small and Medium Enterprises (IASME) consortium and the Information Security Forum (ISF) to develop Cyber Essentials, a set of basic technical controls to help organisations protect themselves against common online security threats.

The full scheme, launched on 5 June 2014, enables organisations to gain one of two Cyber Essentials badges. It is backed by industry including the Federation of Small Businesses, the CBI and a number of insurance organisations which are offering incentives for businesses.

Cyber Essentials is suitable for all organisations, of any size, in any sector.

From 1 October 2014, Government requires all suppliers bidding for contracts involving the handling of certain sensitive and personal information to be certified against the Cyber Essentials scheme.

As a first step in preparing your organisation to apply for the badges, you may wish to consider looking at the qualifications and training available via Qualifi Awarding Organisation (Ofqual regulated) www.qualifi.net and the Global Cyber Academy www.globalcyberacademy.com

Ray Brogden, COO of Qualifi Awarding Organisation invites you as an interested individual, company representative or employee to make contact in regard to the qualifications, funding for eligible learners, student loan recognition and education entitlement associated with the qualifications and courses available. ray@qualifi.net