The regional centres are doing a great deal of work with SMEs to assist them in becoming more cyber-resilient. Much of the work is provided via the services of our Cyber PATH. They work with each of the centres to deliver a range of services to highlight vulnerabilities and raise awareness of the dangers posed by cybercriminals. Much of what the Cyber PATH teams do is a precursor to businesses becoming Cyber Essentials, or Cyber Essentials Plus accredited.
Cyber Essentials helps to guard against the most common cyber threats and demonstrate your commitment to cyber security, which can often become a requirement when tendering for work in both public and private sectors.
Cyber Essentials is a simple but effective, government-backed scheme that will help you protect your organisation, whatever its size, against a whole range of the most common cyber attacks.
Each of the Regional Centres has Cyber Essentials Partners; they are official providers of Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus Certification to our local businesses and charities.
Currently, there is a scheme being run by the NCSC (National Cyber Security Centre – the UK’s national technical authority on cyber security) which is offering Funded Cyber Essentials Plus to small or micro companies working on:
- The development of fundamental Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies.
- The design and development of semiconductors / semiconductor IP blocks. NB: this offer does not extend to companies whose sole purpose is the manufacture of semiconductors.
- The development of fundamental Quantum technologies.
- The development of fundamental Engineering Biology – specifically the design, scaling and commercialisation of biology-derived products and services that can transform sectors or produce existing products more sustainably.
Qualifying organisations will receive around 20 hours of funded remote support with an Advisor. This time will be spent identifying and implementing improvements that are right for the size and needs of the organisation and supporting them in implementing the 5 Cyber Essentials technical controls.
This will be followed by a hands-on technical verification that the controls have been put in place. Suppose the organisation can’t achieve Cyber Essentials Plus. In that case, the Advisor will help implement as many of the technical controls as possible and give the organisation a clear list of the additional actions they need to undertake to become compliant. No previous cyber security certification or experience is necessary.
More information on the scheme can be found on the NCSC Funded Cyber Essentials Programme page, and organisations can apply on the website of the NCSC’s Cyber Essentials partner, IASME – IASME Funded Cyber Essentials programme.
Alternatively, if you’d prefer to speak to a Cyber Essentials Partner in your region, please use the postcode locator here to identify your local Cyber Resilience Centre. You will then be able to see with the Cyber Essentials Partners in your region.