We are currently seeing a significant increase in requests for Cyber Essentials certification across our client base. For many of you in architecture and construction, this is increasingly becoming a mandatory requirement for PQQ submissions and insurance renewals.

Because of this volume, we wanted to share some context on the process and our current availability

The Certification Process
Cyber Essentials is a technical standard focused on five specific control areas: firewalls, secure configuration, user access, malware protection, and patch management.

While it is a foundational certification, it isn’t an instant sign-off. The process requires a full review of your current IT estate to ensure everything meets the specific criteria set by IASME. If any hardware or software falls outside of the supported requirements, these need to be remediated before the application can be submitted to avoid a failure.

Current Availability
Because of the time required to audit and prepare these submissions, we are currently managing a waiting list.

We know these requests often arrive at the last minute alongside a tender deadline or a renewal date. However, to ensure we can give each assessment the necessary time, we aren’t able to turn these around on short notice.

If you anticipate needing certification for a project or a renewal in the coming months, please let us know as early as possible. This will help us get you into the schedule and avoid any issues with your own deadlines.