The Cyber Essentials scheme
has been developed by Government and industry to fulfil two functions. It provides a clear statement of the basic controls all organisations should implement to mitigate the risk from common internet based threats, within the context of the Government’s 10 Steps to Cyber Security. Through the Assurance Framework it offers a mechanism for organisations to demonstrate to customers, investors, insurers and others that they have taken these essential precautions.
“ICAEW Chartered Accountants frequently handle sensitive financial information, making data security and risk management central to the work we do. This is why the ICAEW is committed to raising standards of cyber security within the profession, and the wider business community as a whole. The Cyber Essentials scheme provides an industry standard to show that a business cares about its own data – and its customers. That’s why ICAEW worked with government and other industry professionals to develop the scheme, in order to provide a greater standard of cyber hygiene amongst all UK businesses, regardless of size or sector”
Michael M D Izza, Chief Executive, ICAEW