Preparing for a Cyber Essentials Plus audit when using cloud providers means making sure your cloud services meet the strict cybersecurity standards required by the scheme. This involves checking that your cloud setup has the right security controls in place, such as strong access management, up-to-date software, and secure data handling. Since many UK small businesses rely on cloud services for email, file storage, and applications, ensuring these meet Cyber Essentials Plus requirements helps reduce the risk of cyberattacks and data breaches.
Why this matters for UK SMEs
Failing a Cyber Essentials Plus audit can lead to increased vulnerability to cyber threats, potential downtime, and loss of customer trust. For example, if your cloud provider doesn't enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) or proper patching, attackers could gain access to sensitive business data or disrupt your operations. This is especially critical for SMEs handling personal data under UK GDPR or processing payments under PCI DSS, where compliance is closely linked to business reputation and legal obligations.
A practical scenario
Consider a UK-based SME with around 50 employees using a popular cloud email and file-sharing service. During preparation for their Cyber Essentials Plus audit, they discovered their cloud provider's default security settings allowed users to share files externally without restrictions. Their IT partner helped them configure sharing policies, enforce MFA for all users, and set up regular security monitoring. These changes not only helped pass the audit but also reduced the risk of accidental data leaks and improved overall staff security awareness.
Checklist: Preparing your cloud environment for Cyber Essentials Plus
- Ask your cloud provider: Do they support and enforce multi-factor authentication for all accounts?
- Check software updates: Are all cloud-hosted applications and connected devices regularly patched and updated?
- Review access controls: Who has administrative access to your cloud services? Limit this to essential personnel only.
- Examine data sharing policies: Can users share data externally? If so, are there controls or restrictions in place?
- Confirm backup arrangements: Are your cloud data backups automated, tested regularly, and stored securely?
- Request security logs: Does your provider offer logging and monitoring of access and security events?
- Evaluate incident response: What is the provider's process for handling security incidents or breaches?
- Document supplier security: Collect evidence of your cloud provider's Cyber Essentials Plus or equivalent certification to support your audit.
Next steps
Preparing for a Cyber Essentials Plus audit with cloud services requires a clear understanding of your provider's security features and your own internal controls. It's wise to work closely with a trusted managed IT provider or IT advisor who can assess your cloud environment, help implement necessary controls, and guide you through the audit process. This approach helps protect your business from cyber risks while supporting compliance and operational resilience.