What is the difference between Cyber Essentials vs ISO 27001?
We often get asked by companies looking to strengthen their cybersecurity which is the better option Cyber Essentials vs ISO 27001. Here at The Unite Group we always stress how different the two schemes are and that they should not be compared but instead accepted as two very different schemes which both enhance a company’s security stance.
In this article, we discuss the two schemes and offer further information for any business looking to improve its cybersecurity.
Cyber Essentials
What is it?
The Cyber Essentials scheme is a Government backed scheme that covers 5 key areas of cybersecurity; access control, software updates, firewalls & routers, secure configuration & malware protection. The aim of this scheme is to protect against the most common forms of cyber-attacks. This certification is also required to bid for Government contracts.
What does it aim to protect?
By completing the Cyber Essentials certificate, your organisation is effectively protecting itself against approximately 80% of the most common cyber-attacks. This is because this scheme protects your data and programs on hardware such as computers, networks, servers and any other elements in your IT infrastructure.
Who should consider being a part of the Cyber Essentials scheme?
All organisations who want to protect their businesses should partake in the scheme. Not only does it protect your business. But it also demonstrates to your clients that they can be confident their data will be in safe hands. Therefore any business that is looking to implement basic cybersecurity measures should look into achieving the certification.
Also, for any businesses that wishes to bid for Government contracts this certification is a prerequisite. Therefore, if you wish for your business to be considered for such opportunities you should begin the process of achieving this as soon as possible.
ISO 27001
What is it?
ISO 27001 is a set of standards that have been designed to keep information assets secure. This certification allows you to manage the security of assets including financial information, intellectual property, employee details and any information entrusted to you from third parties. ISO 27001, therefore, has more elements within its scope. ISO 27001 has 10 clauses and 114 generic security controls grouped into 14 sections
What does it aim to protect?
ISO 27001 differs from Cyber Essentials as it aims to protect all information and data regardless of where it is found. Meaning the certification covers hard copies, digital & data stored within information systems.
Who should consider achieving ISO 27001?
Similarly to Cyber Essentials, any business that wishes to demonstrate that they take data protection seriously should work towards achieving the certification. Some organisations sometimes choose to implement the standard to ensure they are following recommended guidelines. Others however choose to complete the certification to reassure their customer’s and client’s.
So, is Cyber Essentials the same as ISO 27001?
In short, no. However, the two complement one another.
We recommend anyone without both a Cyber Essentials certification and ISO 27001 consider achieving both certifications at the same time. In terms of time & money, this proves to be the most effective.
However, if this is not an option, we suggest you opt for achieving Cyber Essentials first. This scheme follows a simpler process and will introduce you to the world of certification and data protection.
How can we help?
Here at The Unite Group, we are certified Cyber Essentials assessors. Therefore, we can guide you throughout the process as well as assess your application for certification. Our friendly team is on hand to assist throughout the self-assessment questionnaire.
Want to learn more? Book an appointment with our Cybersecurity team today!