Cybersecurity Strategy: Why MSPs Should Pay Close Attention to Cyber Essentials

ConnectSecure | Jul 15, 2024

Imagine leaving your front door wide open with valuables in plain sight, hoping that no one with bad intentions notices. Sounds reckless, right? Surprisingly, this is how many businesses approach their cybersecurity without even realizing it. For Managed Service Providers (MSPs), the stakes are even higher as you hold the keys to multiple houses — your clients' digital environments.

In a world where cyber criminals are growing increasingly sophisticated and the cost of a breach can be high, if not business-ending, how can MSPs ensure their clients’ doors are locked and security systems are in place? Enter Cyber Essentials — a UK framework that acts like a robust security system for your own MSP as well as client businesses.

But what exactly is Cyber Essentials, and why should MSPs care about it? Let’s look at the details and uncover how getting certified can be a game-changer for your cybersecurity strategy.

What is Cyber Essentials?

Cyber Essentials is a UK government-backed certification scheme designed to help organizations of all sizes protect themselves against common online threats. Launched in 2014 by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), the scheme focuses on five key controls that, when implemented effectively, can dramatically reduce the number of cyber attacks.

The Five Technical Controls

Firewalls and Internet Gateways: Ensuring network perimeters are secure.
Secure Configuration: Keeping systems secure by disabling unnecessary functionalities.
User Access Control: Limiting access to data and services to only those who need it.
Malware Protection: Implementing measures to protect against malware attacks.
Patch Management: Ensuring systems are up-to-date with the latest security patches.

What’s In It for MSPs?

As an MSP, your clients rely on you to keep their digital environments secure. While many small businesses think they are immune to threats, the numbers show otherwise. A new cyber readiness report, published in Insurance Business Magazine, revealed 41% of small businesses fell victim to a cyber attack in 2023, a near doubling from 22% in 2021. At the same time, 51% of small and medium businesses (SMBs) don’t have cybersecurity measures in place, according to Verizon.

Cyber Essentials certification enhances your ability to protect clients of all sizes and demonstrates your commitment to high cybersecurity standards. It also positions you to help clients themselves get certified, ensuring that they too follow best practices and improve their cybersecurity posture.

Chris Blunt of Blunt Security, a licensed Cybersecurity Assessor and Consultant focused on MSPs and their clients, tells us he has seen the impact of adopting Cyber Essentials as a business strategy: “One MSP mandated Cyber Essentials for all clients, which improved the MSP’s reputation and made it easier to attract new clients. Another MSP client, after implementing Cyber Essentials, won a significant contract, showing the business benefits of certification.”

Here are a few more compelling reasons why MSPs should consider Cyber Essentials:

1. Building Trust with Clients

Clients want assurance that their data is in safe hands. Cyber Essentials certification signals that you follow best practices and have robust defenses in place.

2. Mitigating Risks

With cyber attacks becoming more sophisticated, the five controls of Cyber Essentials help mitigate common threats, reducing the risk of breaches and data loss.

3. Meeting Compliance Requirements

Government departments, the NHS, and others often require Cyber Essentials or Cyber Essentials Plus, and suppliers to these sectors risk losing contracts without certification. The NCSC states, “If you would like to bid for central government contracts which involve handling sensitive and personal information or the provision of certain technical products and services, you will require Cyber Essentials Certification.”

4. Enhancing Reputation

Being certified not only boosts your reputation but also differentiates you from competitors who may not have the same level of cybersecurity commitment.

5. Improving Operational Efficiency

The structured approach of Cyber Essentials streamlines your cybersecurity processes, making it easier to manage and protect client environments.

The Cyber Essentials Assessment Process

The Cyber Essentials certification offers two assessment levels: a basic self-assessment combined with an independent audit and a more rigorous level involving physical testing. called Cyber Essentials Plus. Only certification bodies approved by IASME, NCSC’s delivery partner, can perform these assessments. The certification needs to be renewed annually, making the process a continuous commitment to maintaining security standards.

The basic Cyber Essentials certification path goes as follows (as an MSP, you’re also ideally positioned to help your clients get certified):

Self-Assessment Questionnaire: You start with a self-assessment questionnaire, providing evidence of how your organization meets the five controls.
External Vulnerability Scan: An external vulnerability scan is conducted to verify your compliance with the Cyber Essentials standards.
Certification: Upon successful completion of the assessment and scan, you receive your Cyber Essentials certification.

The Plus certification path involves a higher level of assurance, including all the steps in the basic Cyber Essentials certification, plus additional, more rigorous testing:

On-Site Assessment: An approved certification body conducts a thorough review of the organization's IT infrastructure and systems to ensure compliance with the Cyber Essentials controls. This may involve testing various devices and configurations to verify that they are secure and meet the required standards.
Internal Vulnerability Scan: In addition to the on-site assessment, an internal vulnerability scan is performed. This scan examines the internal network and systems to identify potential vulnerabilities that could be exploited from within the organization.

ConnectSecure Can Help

For MSPs, Cyber Essentials certification enhances your ability to protect clients, build trust, and grow your business. By implementing the five essential controls, you're not only securing your clients' digital houses but also fortifying your own business against cyber threats.

ConnectSecure is here to support MSPs on this journey. Stay tuned for our upcoming blog post on how ConnectSecure can help you achieve Cyber Essentials certification. In the meantime, why not experience the impact of our MSP-tailored platform for vulnerability and compliance management? Sign up for our 14-day Free Trial and schedule a one-on-one Live Demo today!