How long is Cyber Essentials Valid For? Everything You Need to Know

What is Cyber Essentials?

Cyber Essentials is a UK government-backed program launched in 2014 to provide basic cybersecurity to organisations of all sizes. Its certification aims to safeguard against typical cyber threats like hacking, phishing, and malware. With Cyber Essentials certification, companies show they have implemented the necessary measures to safeguard their information and systems.

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) oversees the certification process that involves a self-assessment questionnaire covering five technical controls: boundary firewalls, secure configuration, access control, malware protection, and security update management. An independent certification body evaluates the questionnaire to confirm the organisation's responses meet the required standards before awarding certification.

Apart from providing a basic level of cyber protection, Cyber Essentials certification helps companies comply with industry regulations and standards. For instance, companies that handle sensitive data like personal or financial information may need to demonstrate their cybersecurity measures as part of their regulatory obligations.

Moreover, Cyber Essentials offers a framework for implementing and maintaining effective security measures, improving an organisation's overall security posture. By undergoing the self-assessment process and achieving certification, organisations can identify any security gaps in their existing measures and take the necessary steps to address these issues.

How long is Cyber Essentials Valid For?

For the basic Cyber Essentials certification, the validity period is one year. This means that organisations need to renew their certification annually by re-submitting their self-assessment questionnaire and again meeting the required cybersecurity standards.

Additionally, for Cyber Essentials Plus certification, the validity period is also one year. However, it requires an independent assessment of an organisation's cybersecurity controls and procedures by a qualified certification body.

It is worth noting that the certification's validity may also vary depending on the organisation's size, industry, and the specific requirements of their clients or regulators.

Therefore, it is crucial for organisations to stay up to date with their regulatory requirements and review their certification's validity accordingly.

How Quickly Can I Get Cyber Essentials Certified?

The time it takes to become Cyber Essentials certified can vary depending on the complexity of your organisation's IT infrastructure and the level of preparation you have undertaken.

The length of time it takes to complete the self-assessment questionnaire and receive certification can vary from a few days to several weeks, depending on how well-prepared the organisation is and how quickly the certification body can complete the review process.

In general, the NCSC advises that the Information Assurance for Small and Medium Enterprises (IASME) usually takes around 1 to 3 working days from the time of assessment submission to get back to organisations.

Cyber Essentials and Government Contract Bids

In the UK, Cyber Essentials certification is a requirement for some government contracts that involve the handling of sensitive or personal information. The exact requirements for Cyber Essentials certification may vary depending on the specific contract and the level of risk involved.

For example, for contracts that involve handling personal information or providing certain ICT products or services to the UK government, Cyber Essentials certification is mandatory. This requirement applies to all suppliers, including those that are subcontractors to the main contractor.

In addition, the UK government's Cyber Security Model requires all suppliers to the government to comply with certain cybersecurity standards, which may include Cyber Essentials. Even if Cyber Essentials certification is not mandatory for a particular contract, it may be viewed favourably by government agencies as evidence of an organisation's commitment to cybersecurity.

It is important to note that while Cyber Essentials certification is not mandatory for all government contracts, it is becoming increasingly common for government agencies to require it as part of their procurement processes. Therefore, if you are interested in bidding for government contracts, it is a good idea to consider obtaining Cyber Essentials certification to demonstrate your commitment to cybersecurity and enhance your chances of winning contracts.