ISO 27001 adopts a more holistic approach and is focused on the development, implementation and continual improvement of an information security management system (ISMS).
Adopting a risk-based approach, ISO 27001 considers threats to all of its information assets in whatever form, i.e. paper, information systems or digital media.
When certifying to ISO 27001, you need to provide the assessor with evidence that you are meeting all the mandatory elements of the management system e.g. understanding the organisation, demonstrating leadership commitment, conducting risk assessments and treatment, evaluating performance and continually improving.
The controls you implement are dictated by your risk assessment. Cyber Essentials on the other hand is a ‘snapshot in time’ assessment, where the focus is on protecting data and programs on networks, computers, servers and other elements of IT infrastructure, from cyber threats.
There is no risk assessment involved and all the security measures set out by the NCSC must be in place at the time of the certification assessment. The same applies to Cyber Essentials Plus.
Our experience with URM was all around great and seamless, starting with our account manager who organised everything and was very accommodating, working around our schedule and fitting us in as soon as we wanted. This continued with our assessor for the CE questionnaire part; he was very helpful, taking the time to explain some aspects that were a bit unclear to me and guiding me the whole way through. The same was true of our assessor for the CE+, who took the time to answer any questions I had beforehand and guide me through elements that I was unfamiliar with. During the assessment, he was very helpful, made the process very easy and guided me through some points that needed some additional set up in order to ensure a successful process. This was our first year working with URM and I am sure we’ll be talking again next year. Thank you for all your help!
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Thank you to our assessor, our account manager and URM for this support. Without their advice and support, we wouldn’t have achieved this.
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