Understanding The Business Case For Cyber Essentials

Originally designed to provide a set of clear, actionable steps for organisations to protect against common cyber threats, the scheme has grown into a near-expected security standard for organisations across industries.

To reflect on the decade, the UK’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology has commissioned a study to understand the benefits of Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus as understood by business leaders.

Below are the key benefits that businesses are determined:

Increased Cyber Resilience

One of the primary goals of Cyber Essentials is to enhance the cyber resilience of organisations. The scheme provides a set of technical controls that, when implemented correctly, can protect against a range of basic cyber attacks.

The study found that 82% of Cyber Essentials-certified organisations feel confident in the scheme’s ability to protect them from common threats. This shows that businesses using Cyber Essentials are more secure and proactive in defending against potential risks.

Additionally, the scheme’s technical controls, such as secure system configuration, access control, and malware protection, have demonstrated effectiveness in mitigating up to 99% of internet-originating vulnerabilities. For many organisations, this level of protection is a critical first step in bolstering their security defences.

Greater Cyber Risk Awareness

Cyber Essentials not only equips organisations with the necessary tools but also fosters greater awareness of the risks posed by cyber attacks.

Nearly two-thirds of certified users believe that being part of the scheme has enabled them to better identify common cyber threats. In contrast, organisations without certification often exhibit lower levels of risk awareness.

This heightened awareness helps organisations understand the broader impact of cyber threats, ranging from financial loss to reputational damage. Certified organisations, for example, tend to rate the potential impact of a cyber attack more seriously, understanding the full consequences of a breach.

Improved Confidence in Security Posture

For many businesses, adopting Cyber Essentials is a confidence booster, providing the assurance that they are protected against the most common forms of cyber attack.

The study found that 91% of Cyber Essentials certified businesses felt more confident in their ability to implement and maintain effective cyber security measures. This is particularly important for smaller organisations that typically lack in-house IT expertise and rely on the guidance provided by the Cyber Essentials framework.

In addition to improving the overall confidence in their cyber security posture, businesses find that the certification process has strengthened the cyber security knowledge and prioritisation within senior management.

This aligns with findings that boards of Cyber Essentials-certified organisations are more likely to prioritise cyber security, with 93% of boards reporting it as a key business focus.

Stimulating Wider Cyber Security Practices

Another major benefit is that Cyber Essentials often serves as a gateway to more advanced cyber security measures. Over three-quarters of certified organisations have gone on to adopt additional preventative actions, including ISO 27001 certification, investing in infrastructure changes, and conducting regular penetration testing. The scheme acts as a catalyst for ongoing improvement and operational change, with 76% of businesses saying that it has inspired them to go beyond the basic technical controls.

Supply Chain & Commercial Benefits

Cyber Essentials certification is now a requirement of national and local government contracts, as well as increasingly in commercial contracts.

One-third of certified organisations report that a significant proportion of their contracts over the past year required them to hold Cyber Essentials certification. Additionally, it offers a competitive edge, as 69% of businesses believe that the scheme has improved their market competitiveness. The certification provides peace of mind to clients and suppliers, acting as a benchmark for sound cyber hygiene practices.

Many organisations also report that being Cyber Essentials certified streamlines due diligence processes, helping reduce the time and effort needed to assess supplier security risks.

Cyber Essentials: A Compelling Business Case

Cyber Essentials has become a key tool for businesses looking to improve cyber security posture, enhancing risk awareness and demonstrate a commitment to safeguarding sensitive data.

For organisations looking to kick-start their cyber security journey or further bolster their existing defences, Cyber Essentials now has an established business case for delivering practical benefits and significant value.

ToraGuard has accredited assessors for Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus. To discuss the business case further with them, please get in touch:

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