The UK Government is initiating an awareness campaign for its cyber security certification scheme, Cyber Essentials to encourage more small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) to protect themselves from online threats.
UK Government encourages businesses to stay safe using Cyber Essentials
31st March 2017
The UK Government is initiating an awareness campaign for its cyber security certification scheme, Cyber Essentials to encourage more small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) to protect themselves from online threats.
Cyber Essentials is an integral part of the Government’s £1.9 billion National Cyber Security Strategy (NCSS) to defend the UK from cyber attacks and making the country one of the safest places in the world to conduct business online.
The campaign will include an online media campaign, stakeholder, industry and Government communications support and numerous events, conferences and announcements. These efforts intend to increase the adoption of Cyber Essentials by UK businesses – especially SMEs and to establish the scheme as a solution for good, basic security. The campaign has been scheduled to run for 8 weeks starting 31st of March.
APMG is a Government appointed accreditation body responsible for approving Certification Bodies (CBs) to award businesses with Cyber Essentials certificates. Owned jointly by GCHQ, NCSC and DCMS - the scheme shows businesses how to avoid common cyber-attacks by implementing simple security measures. Getting certified is quick, easy and cost-effective – providing businesses with immediate protection.
APMG delivers the scheme through an online portal so that the entire certification process can be completed securely online.
Cyber Essentials Certification is mandatory for many Government suppliers regardless of the scale of their involvement in the supply chain.
This Government push helps bring the wider issue of cyber security into the spotlight. APMG is trusted provider of many cyber security solutions.
Several of these solutions have been developed by the Government such as GCHQ Certified Training, NCSC Certified Cyber Professional and Cyber Defence Capability Assessment Tool (CDCAT®). APMG seeks to play an important role in enabling businesses to protect themselves and to enhance the skillsets of cyber security professionals.
The Government’s five year NCSS outlines how the UK will defend itself against cyber threats, deter its adversaries in cyber space and develop the knowledge and capabilities to protect itself.
The Government has stated that ensuring effective cyber security measures are established throughout the UK PLC is crucial for protecting its citizens, businesses and their data. Achieving this enables growth of the country’s digital economy – providing it with a competitive advantage in a post-Brexit world.
The Government believes all organizations which rely on the internet should be Cyber Essentials certified as a minimum. This campaign should drive the adoption of Cyber Essentials across the economy – especially amongst SMEs.
