Intel Security achieves Cyber Essentials with APMG
Cyber Security provider, Intel Security UK (formerly McAfee), has certified against the UK Government’s Cyber Essentials scheme. Working with accreditation body APMG International to achieve the certification, the move confirms Intel Security’s commitment to cyber security best practice and secures its position as a leading supplier of security solutions to the UK Government.
APMG recently incorporated the Cyber Essentials scheme into its portfolio of cyber security products. Developed by the UK Government as part of a broader initiative to raise cyber security awareness and preparedness in businesses of all sizes, Cyber Essentials provides a set of criteria against which organisations can measure their cyber security systems around. Achieving the certification demonstrates to customers that a business has taken basic and essential cyber security precautions. Since October 2014, the UK Government has stipulated that organisations bidding for contracts that entail the handling of sensitive and personal data are now required to be Cyber Essentials certified.
According to Maurice Cashman, Director, Enterprise Architects at Intel Security;
“it was the right thing to do and the Government’s efforts to improve the resilience and security of its supply chain make absolute sense. Cyber Essentials is designed to establish a level of consistency; it’s simple enough that organisations of all sizes can achieve it, and, importantly, it’s effective in nature.”
There are two levels of Cyber Essentials certification – Cyber Essentials is the standard level and is awarded after completion of a validated and verified self-assessment. To aid and facilitate the certification process, businesses are able to complete the assessment entirely through APMG’s online portal. Cyber Essentials Plus involves a more thorough assessment, which includes vulnerability testing. Both levels need to be renewed annually.
Commenting on the process of working with APMG, Maurice added:
“The Cyber Essentials questions are well structured, but the interview with our assessor really helped us understand the spirit of things. The questions aren’t just black and white – it’s really a risk management process that requires understanding. APMG were very responsive in answering our questions and helped us engage with the context and how the scheme fits with our services in a very clear and accessible way. It was clear they were a good match for us.”
Richard Pharro, CEO of APMG, concluded:
“The Cyber Essentials scheme provides a solid foundation of basic cyber security measures for all kinds of enterprises. Our approach has been designed to make it easy for any size of organisation to apply and be assessed with a minimum disruption to their day to day business activities. All our Certification Bodies use very experienced cyber security experts. Through the Assurance Framework, companies can demonstrate to investors, customers and insurers they are committed to their cyber security. The scheme is a clear and no-nonsense approach to ensuring an organisation takes cyber security seriously. It is vital that all businesses take steps to improve their cyber security, the UK Government’s Cyber Essentials scheme is suitable for all types and size of business.”
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