Navigating The Cyber Security Standards: Cyber Essentials, Cyber Essentials Plus, and ISO 27001 Explained 

With the growth of modern technology, cyber threats have become sophisticated, and data breaches are becoming more common and costly. Safeguarding your business data and systems is not just a “would-like,” it is essential for businesses of all sizes. In the UK, three key frameworks have become benchmarks for cyber security: Cyber Essentials, Cyber Essentials Plus, and ISO 27001.  

But what are these frameworks? What do each of them mean? And does your business need any or all of these standards? Understanding these cyber security frameworks, their differences, and their applicability, can empower businesses to enhance their cyber security posture effectively. 
 

Cyber Essentials

Launched by the UK Government in 2014, Cyber Essentials is designed to help businesses of all sizes, particularly small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), protect themselves against a wide range of the most common cyber-attacks. The certification process is straightforward, can be completed online, and focuses on several key technical controls: secure configuration, boundary firewalls and internet gateways, access control and administrative privilege management, patch management, and malware/ransomware protection.

The primary aim of this baseline of Cyber Essentials is to offer a clear-cut standard framework for cyber security tools and solutions which is deemed essential for all businesses. By achieving this certification, companies can demonstrate to their customers, partners, investors, and other stakeholders that they have taken essential steps to secure their systems and information against cyber threats.

Cyber Essentials Plus

Building upon the foundation of Cyber Essentials, Cyber Essentials Plus follows the same framework, but it offers a higher level of assurance through the independent verification of a business's cyber security practices.

This verification includes a technical audit of the systems that are in scope for the certification, including an assessment of the effectiveness of the business's cyber security measures through testing and analysis, such as vulnerability scans, penetration testing, and even spot checks of end-user devices.

The Cyber Essentials Plus certification is particularly suited to businesses that, having implemented the initial Cyber Essentials controls, wish to further demonstrate their commitment to cyber security and data security, by undergoing a more rigorous assessment process which verifies the controls and solutions that they have put in place.

ISO 27001

ISO 27001 is an international standard that provides a framework for Information Security Management Systems (ISMS), offering a comprehensive approach to managing sensitive company data to ensure that it remains secure. It encompasses people, processes, and IT systems by applying a risk management process. This certification is more comprehensive than Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus, covering not only the technical controls covered as part of Cyber Essentials Plus but also broader information security management practices.

ISO 27001 is designed for businesses of any size, in any industry, and is particularly beneficial for those that handle a significant amount of data, are in regulated industries where information security is a critical concern or are working with certain high-profile clients or branches of governments. It demonstrates a commitment to information security management to customers, partners, regulators, and other stakeholders.

Key Differences and Applicability

Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus focus on technical controls against common and evolving cyber threats, making them ideal for SMEs looking to highlight their commitment to cyber security and compliance with a minimum recognised framework. In contrast, ISO 27001 offers a comprehensive Information Security Management Systems (ISMS) framework suitable for businesses needing (or wanting) to demonstrate a more in-depth commitment to information security management.

Industries and Requirements

Cyber Essentials Plus is often a minimum prerequisite for UK government contracts involving the handling of sensitive and personal information. It is widely recognised across various sectors, including education, healthcare, and finance, as a sign of comprehensive cyber security diligence, and provides assurance through independent testing. ISO 27001's broad application to Information Security Management means it is sought after by industries where data security is critical, such as finance, healthcare, and IT services, especially for companies operating internationally or across multiple jurisdictions. Thus, both Cyber Essentials Plus and ISO 27001 have an element of interoperability with each other from a technical practice perspective, however, ISO 27001 builds upon the technical compliance with additional data security management practices.

Who is it targeted at?

Cyber Essentials is tailored towards businesses who are seeking to highlight that they practice cyber security fundamentals in a quick and efficient manner. Whereas Cyber Essentials Plus is geared towards businesses wishing (or needing) to add an extra layer of assurance to their certification, that can be shared with clients and partners, through external validation of their security measures.  

ISO 27001 is aimed at businesses requiring a comprehensive information security management system in addition to the technical measures covered in Cyber Essentials Plus, especially businesses dealing with important data levels or operating in heavily regulated fields or sectors. 
 

How can TwentyFour IT keep your businesses compliant?

While Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus provide solid foundations for cyber security, particularly for SMEs, ISO 27001 offers a more detailed framework for managing information security. The choice between these certifications depends on the specific needs, industry requirements, and the level of assurance a business wishes to achieve. In some cases, this may require one, two, or even all three of these certifications. Understanding the nuances of each of these frameworks and what they involve can guide businesses in strengthening their cyber security and data security measures and demonstrating their commitment to safeguarding data. 

At TwentyFour IT Services, we work with our clients to ensure that they meet the requirements associated with Cyber Essentials Plus at a minimum and can work with them to achieve certification. While we do not offer ISO 27001 as a certification to our clients, we do work with them to ensure that they have the tools, solutions, and processes in place to achieve this certification and can work with your business and ISO 27001 providers and business partners.