Cyber Essentials Plus is a UK government-backed cybersecurity certification that verifies an organisation's basic cyber defences, including hardware and device security. While it is not legally mandatory for all businesses, it sets a clear standard for protecting your IT equipment from common cyber threats. For hardware security specifically, Cyber Essentials Plus involves hands-on testing to confirm that devices like laptops, desktops, and servers are properly configured and protected against vulnerabilities.
For a small or medium-sized business, ensuring hardware security is crucial because compromised devices can lead to downtime, data breaches, and loss of customer trust. For example, if a staff member's laptop is infected with malware due to poor device security, this could spread across the network, causing operational disruption and risking sensitive information. Cyber Essentials Plus helps reduce these risks by requiring controls such as secure configuration, patch management, and malware protection to be in place and verified.
Why this matters for UK SMEs
Many UK SMEs face increasing pressure to demonstrate good cybersecurity practices, especially if they handle personal data under the UK GDPR or process card payments under PCI DSS. Cyber Essentials Plus certification can support compliance efforts by showing you have taken practical steps to secure your hardware and devices. It also reassures customers and suppliers that you take cyber risks seriously, which can be a competitive advantage.
Real-world example
Consider a UK-based manufacturing SME with around 50 employees. Their IT partner recommended Cyber Essentials Plus to improve device security after a phishing attack compromised an employee's workstation. The certification process identified outdated software and weak password policies on several devices. After remediation, including enforcing multi-factor authentication and regular patching, the business reduced its exposure to malware and improved staff awareness. This proactive approach helped avoid costly downtime and protected sensitive supplier contracts.
Practical checklist for hardware security and Cyber Essentials Plus
- Ask your IT provider: Do you support Cyber Essentials Plus certification? What steps do you take to secure hardware devices?
- Review your device management: Are all devices running supported operating systems with up-to-date security patches?
- Check access controls: Is multi-factor authentication enabled on all critical devices and systems?
- Verify antivirus and anti-malware: Are these tools installed, active, and regularly updated on every device?
- Examine physical security: Are devices protected from unauthorised access or theft, especially portable ones?
- Backup strategy: Are device data backups performed regularly and stored securely offsite or in the cloud?
- Supplier questionnaires: Include questions about Cyber Essentials Plus or equivalent standards when selecting IT vendors or hardware suppliers.
While Cyber Essentials Plus is not strictly necessary for every business, it provides a practical framework to improve hardware security and reduce cyber risks. Discussing your specific needs with a trusted managed IT provider or IT advisor can help you decide if pursuing this certification aligns with your business goals and compliance requirements. They can also guide you through implementing the necessary controls and preparing for certification assessments.