It’s been a busy few weeks here at Net Primates as many of our clients have been renewing their Cyber Essentials Plus certifications. For us, that’s a positive sign; more businesses are continually taking cyber security seriously, protecting themselves, their customers, and their reputations. 

Cyber Essentials Plus is more than just a box-ticking exercise. It’s a government-backed certification designed to help businesses guard against the most common cyber threats. For many industries, it’s now becoming an essential requirement when bidding for contracts or working with certain partners. But beyond compliance, it gives your customers and suppliers confidence that you’re protecting the data you handle. 

Cyber Essentials vs. Cyber Essentials Plus — what’s the difference?

While both certifications are part of the government’s Cyber Essentials scheme, there are some key differences: 

  • Cyber Essentials is a self-assessment. You answer a series of questions about your systems, policies, and security measures. It’s designed to ensure you have basic protections in place against common cyber threats. 
  • Cyber Essentials Plus goes a step further. It includes all the same checks plus an independent technical audit carried out by an external assessor. Your systems are tested to ensure the protections you’ve put in place actually work in practice. 

Put simply, Cyber Essentials shows your intention to protect against cyber threats, while Cyber Essentials Plus proves it. 

How we help our clients succeed

Renewing Cyber Essentials Plus can feel daunting if you try to tackle it alone. The process can be time-consuming and complex for busy teams who are not experts in the field. 

That’s where we come in. At Net Primates, we work closely with our clients to: 

  • Prepare systems and documentation ahead of the audit 
  • Identify and resolve any gaps in security before they become an issue 
  • Liaise directly with the external auditor so clients don’t have to 
  • Guide businesses step by step through the entire renewal process 

The result? A 100% success rate for our clients renewing their Cyber Essentials Plus certification. 

Why it matters

Cyber threats are evolving all the time. Cyber Essentials Plus provides reassurance that your business has the right controls in place to protect against common attacks — from phishing emails and malware to unauthorised access and misconfigured systems. 

For many clients, the certification also opens doors to new opportunities. Increasingly, customers, partners, and regulators are looking for evidence that businesses take cyber security seriously. Having the Cyber Essentials Plus badge demonstrates exactly that. 

Thinking about certification?

Whether you’re renewing your Cyber Essentials Plus certification or working towards it for the first time, Net Primates can make the process smooth and stress-free. From preparation through to liaising with the external auditor, we take the hard work off your plate — so you can focus on running your business. 

If you’d like to know more about Cyber Essentials or Cyber Essentials Plus, or need help getting certified, get in touch today. 

 

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