EMCRC achieves Cyber Essentials Plus Certification

The East Midlands Cyber Resilience Centre (EMCRC) is delighted to announce that we have successfully achieved Cyber Essentials Plus certification, a significant milestone in our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of cyber security.

Cyber Essentials, backed by the UK Government and overseen by IASME, is a widely recognised scheme designed to help organisations protect themselves against a wide range of the most common cyber threats. It is an essential first step for businesses of all sizes to demonstrate their dedication to safeguarding sensitive information, protecting clients, and ensuring strong cyber hygiene.

More on Cyber Essentials...

Cyber Essentials is a government-backed certification scheme that helps organisations put in place the key technical controls needed to defend against the most prevalent cyber attacks. IASME, the official body responsible for delivering the scheme, highlights that many attacks are neither sophisticated nor targeted - they exploit basic vulnerabilities and poor security practices.

By achieving certification, organisations demonstrate that they have robust measures in place across five core areas:

• Firewalls and internet gateways – securing internet connections. 

• Secure configuration – ensuring systems are set up in the most secure way. 

• User access control – restricting access to data and services only to those who need it. 

• Malware protection – defending against viruses and malicious software. 

• Patch management – ensuring devices and software are kept up to date.

Why Cyber Essentials Plus Matters

While Cyber Essentials certification validates that an organisation has the right controls in place, Cyber Essentials Plus goes a step further. It includes an independent, hands-on technical audit carried out by a qualified assessor, providing an additional layer of assurance. This means the EMCRC’s defences have been rigorously tested in practice, not just on paper.

For businesses, this offers real peace of mind. Cyber Essentials Plus shows that a company takes cyber security seriously and is prepared to defend itself - and its customers - against real-world cyber threats.

A Great Scheme for Businesses

At the EMCRC, we encourage organisations of all sizes to consider Cyber Essentials. For SMEs in particular, it offers a cost-effective and practical way to build resilience. Not only does certification help reduce the likelihood of falling victim to common cyber attacks, but it also:

• Enhances customer and partner trust by demonstrating commitment to security. 

• Provides a competitive advantage when bidding for contracts, especially with government or larger organisations. 

• Helps businesses avoid costly downtime and reputational damage caused by preventable breaches. 

• Acts as a stepping stone towards more advanced security measures.

Leading by Example

By achieving Cyber Essentials Plus, the EMCRC is leading by example. As a centre dedicated to supporting businesses in the East Midlands with practical cyber security guidance and solutions, it was essential for us to demonstrate our own commitment to the highest standards.

We are proud to set this benchmark and will continue working with our affiliates, law enforcement, and the wider business community to promote greater cyber resilience across the region.

Thanks to Cyber Essentials certification body IntaForensics, who acted as our assessor and helped us achieve our certification which you can see below.

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Reporting

Report all Fraud and Cybercrime to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 or online. Forward suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk. Report SMS scams by forwarding the original message to 7726 (spells SPAM on the keypad).

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