Cyber security is no longer something that only large organisations need to think about. For many small to medium businesses, it now sits alongside everyday IT support as one of the most important parts of keeping systems, data and people protected.
However, the challenge can be knowing where to start.
If you have looked into cyber security services before, you may have come across terms such as Cyber Essentials, Cyber Essentials Plus, IASME Cyber Assurance and ISO 27001. Each one can be valuable, but they are not all designed for the same purpose.
Some businesses need a practical starting point. Others need a recognised certification to satisfy client or tender requirements. Some need broader assurance around governance, risk and data protection. Others need a more comprehensive information security management system.
Brought to you by the experts here at Dialageek, this guide explains what each cyber security service is for, how they differ, and how to choose the right option for your business.
Why Cyber Security Should Be Part Of Your IT Support
Cyber security should not sit separately from your day to day IT support. The two are closely connected.
Your devices, cloud platforms, email accounts, networks, user permissions, software updates and backup processes all affect your level of protection. If these areas are not managed properly, your business may be more exposed to avoidable risks.
This is why many businesses benefit from working with an IT support provider that also understands cyber security. Rather than treating security as a one-off project, it can become part of your everyday IT management.
For businesses, this can be especially useful if your team relies on Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, remote working, shared files, cloud software, customer data or supplier systems. Good cyber security support helps you understand where your risks are, what needs improving, and which certification or framework makes sense for your organisation.
General Cyber Security Support
General cyber security support is usually the best place to start if you are unsure what your business needs.
This is not always about achieving a formal certification straight away. Sometimes, the first step is simply understanding your current position.
A cyber security review may look at areas such as:
- How staff access systems and data
- Whether multi-factor authentication is in place
- How user permissions are managed
- Whether devices are patched and updated
- How backups are configured
- How email security is handled
- Whether your business has clear security policies
- How prepared you are for common cyber threats
This type of support can help you identify quick wins, reduce obvious risks and make better decisions about future certifications.
It can also be useful if you already have IT support but are not sure whether security is being managed proactively. For example, your business may have someone to call when a laptop stops working, but that does not necessarily mean your systems are being monitored, reviewed and protected in a structured way.
For many organisations, general cyber security support sits alongside managed IT services. It helps make sure your technology is not only working, but working securely.
Cyber Essentials
Cyber Essentials is often the most sensible first certification for UK businesses that want to improve their cyber security and show clients they take protection seriously.
It is a UK government-backed scheme designed to help organisations protect themselves against common online threats. The National Cyber Security Centre describes Cyber Essentials as a way to gain peace of mind, build customer trust and show that your organisation takes cyber security seriously. A growing number of organisations also require suppliers to hold Cyber Essentials before they can bid for certain work.
Cyber Essentials focuses on key technical controls that reduce exposure to common attacks. These controls cover practical areas such as secure configuration, access control, malware protection, security updates and firewalls.
This can make Cyber Essentials a useful choice if:
- You are new to formal cyber security certification
- Clients or suppliers have asked whether you hold Cyber Essentials
- You want a recognised baseline certification
- You want to improve basic technical controls
- You are preparing for public sector or larger private sector procurement
- You want a clearer structure for improving security
Cyber Essentials is not designed to cover every possible security risk. It is a baseline certification, but that is why it can be such a valuable starting point. It gives businesses a clear framework to work through and helps identify areas that may need attention.
Cyber Essentials Plus
Cyber Essentials Plus is the next step up from Cyber Essentials.
It is based on the same protections, but with more rigorous independent technical testing. The NCSC describes Cyber Essentials Plus as using the same protections as Cyber Essentials, but with independent technical testing added.
This means it provides a higher level of assurance because your systems are tested rather than assessed through self-declared answers alone.
Cyber Essentials Plus may be suitable if:
- You already have Cyber Essentials and want stronger assurance
- A client or tender requires Cyber Essentials Plus
- You handle sensitive data
- You work with larger organisations that expect more evidence of security
- You want independent verification that controls are working
- You want to demonstrate a more serious commitment to cyber security
For some businesses, Cyber Essentials is enough. For others, especially those working in more security-conscious sectors, Cyber Essentials Plus can provide the additional confidence clients are looking for.
It is important to think about Cyber Essentials Plus early if you know you may need it later. Preparing properly can make the process smoother, especially if your devices, cloud services, software updates, user access controls or security settings need improvement before testing.
IASME Cyber Assurance
IASME Cyber Assurance is different from Cyber Essentials. It is broader in scope and looks beyond the core technical controls.
IASME describes Cyber Assurance as a comprehensive, flexible and affordable way to achieve cyber resilience. It is designed to show that an organisation has put important controls in place across cyber security and data protection, and the standard can be tailored according to organisation size.
This can make IASME Cyber Assurance useful for organisations that want more than a technical baseline, but may not yet need the scale and complexity of ISO 27001.
It may be suitable if:
- You want a broader cyber security framework
- You need to demonstrate supply chain assurance
- You want to strengthen governance, risk and resilience
- You want a more rounded assessment of cyber security and data protection
- You are looking for something more comprehensive than Cyber Essentials
- Your business needs a structured but realistic approach
IASME Cyber Assurance can be particularly helpful for businesses that want to show customers, suppliers or stakeholders that they have taken a wider approach to cyber risk.
If Cyber Essentials helps answer the question, “Have we put the key technical controls in place?”, IASME Cyber Assurance goes further into how cyber resilience is managed across the organisation.
ISO 27001 Accreditation
ISO 27001 is a more comprehensive standard for information security management.
ISO describes ISO/IEC 27001 as the world’s best-known standard for information security management systems. It sets out requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining and continually improving an information security management system, often referred to as an ISMS.
This means ISO 27001 is not just about technical controls. It is about how an organisation manages information security as a whole.
ISO 27001 may be suitable if:
- You handle sensitive or high-value information
- You work with enterprise clients or regulated sectors
- You need a formal information security management system
- You want to demonstrate robust security governance
- You are bidding for contracts that require ISO 27001
- Your organisation has more complex processes, risks or compliance needs
For many small and medium-sized businesses, ISO 27001 may not be the first step. It can involve a more significant commitment of time, documentation, process development and ongoing management.
However, for organisations that need a recognised international standard, it can be an important part of demonstrating maturity, control and accountability around information security.
How To Know Which Cyber Security Service You Need
The right option depends on your business, your risks, your clients and your future plans.
If you are just starting to formalise cyber security, Cyber Essentials is often a sensible first step. It gives you a recognised baseline and helps you focus on practical technical controls.
If you already have Cyber Essentials or your clients need stronger reassurance, Cyber Essentials Plus may be more appropriate because it includes independent technical testing.
If you want a broader framework that covers cyber resilience, governance and data protection, IASME Cyber Assurance may be worth considering.
If your organisation needs a comprehensive information security management system, or if larger clients and contracts require it, ISO 27001 may be the right direction.
If you are not sure, general cyber security support is often the best place to begin. A review of your current systems, risks and requirements can help you choose the most appropriate route rather than investing time in the wrong certification.
How Cyber Security Fits in with IT Support
Cyber security is most effective when it is built into everyday IT support.
For example, if staff are struggling with account access, that may also raise questions about user permissions and authentication. If software is not being updated, that is both an IT maintenance issue and a security issue. If backups are unreliable, that affects business continuity as well as cyber resilience.
This is why Dial A Geek’s approach brings IT support, cyber security and proactive management together.
Rather than waiting until something goes wrong, Bristol businesses can benefit from an IT support partner that helps manage systems day to day while also looking at security, monitoring, compliance and long term improvement.
For businesses with around 20 users or more, this joined-up approach can be particularly valuable. As teams grow, so do the number of devices, accounts, applications and risks. Having a clear IT support and cyber security strategy helps keep everything more organised and easier to manage.
How Dial A Geek Can Help with Your Cyber Security
Dial A Geek supports Bristol businesses with IT support, managed IT services and cyber security.
Whether you are looking for general cyber security advice, Cyber Essentials certification, Cyber Essentials Plus, IASME Cyber Assurance or ISO 27001 support, the right starting point is understanding what your business actually needs.
Some organisations need help getting the basics in place. Others need certification to satisfy procurement requirements. Some are ready for a broader framework or a more formal information security management system.
Dial A Geek can help you review your current setup, understand your options and choose a route that fits your business.
If you are already thinking about IT support in Bristol, cyber security should be part of that conversation. Reliable technology is important, but secure, well-managed technology is what helps protect your business as it grows.
Speak To Dial A Geek About Cyber Security And IT Support
If you are unsure whether your business needs Cyber Essentials, Cyber Essentials Plus, IASME Cyber Assurance, ISO 27001 or wider cyber security support, Dial A Geek are an MSP in Bristol, who can help you make sense of the options.
Our team works with Bristol businesses to provide practical IT support, managed IT services and cyber security guidance through a proactive, business-focused approach.
Book a free consultation with Dial A Geek to discuss your current IT setup, your cyber security requirements and the best next step for your organisation.
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