1.0 - Introduction
Achieving and maintaining UK Cyber Essentials certification is highly recommended for UK organizations, or any international organizations looking to do business in the UK.
Cyber Essentials is the UK Government's recommended minimum cybersecurity standard for businesses. It demonstrates to clients and partners that you are committed to protecting your data and systems from cyber threats.
HighGround simplifies managing your Cyber Essentials compliance by providing a dedicated space to track your progress, store your certificate, and perform periodic audits. This ensures you stay compliant and maintain high cybersecurity standards on an ongoing basis.
2.0 - Benefits of Cyber Essentials Certification
Achieving Cyber Essentials certification offers several benefits:
Enhanced Credibility: Demonstrates a commitment to cybersecurity to clients and partners - especially with Cyber Essentials Plus.
Protection Against Common Threats: Reduces the risk of cyberattacks by addressing basic security vulnerabilities and misconfigurations.
Access to Government Contracts: Many public sector contracts require Cyber Essentials certification as a minimum standard, opening the door to valuable opportunities.
Potential Insurance Benefits: Some insurers offer lower premiums to organizations that hold Cyber Essentials certification, helping reduce your business costs.
3.0 - Uploading Your Cyber Essentials Certificate
To upload your Cyber Essentials certificate to HighGround, follow these simple steps:
Navigate to the Certificate Box: In the Governance & Resilience module, click the Cyber Essentials tile. Then, in the Cyber Essentials Certificate box, click 'Upload'.
Enter the Certification Body: Provide the name of the Certification Body that issued your certificate.
Add the Certification Date: Enter the date when your organization received the certification.
Select the Certification Type: Choose between CE Basic or CE Plus to accurately reflect your certification level.
Upload the Certificate: Complete the process by uploading your certificate file.
Once uploaded, your certificate will be securely stored in the Cyber Essentials section within the Governance & Resilience module in HighGround.
4.0 - Performing a Cyber Essentials Audit
Conducting a Cyber Essentials audit in HighGround is a simple and straightforward process:
Start the Audit: In the Governance & Resilience module, click the Cyber Essentials tile, then click the 'Perform CE Audit' button to get started.
Complete the Sections: Work through the three sections of the audit, providing as much detail as possible to ensure a thorough evaluation.
Submit Your Audit: Once you’ve completed all sections, click 'Complete' to finalize and save your audit.
Your completed audit will be securely stored in HighGround, offering a clear record of your compliance efforts and progress.
Tip: At the bottom of each section, you have the option to add custom questions to tailor the audit to your specific needs.