Cyber Essentials

Invaluable Cyber Security training that every business needs
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Achieve Cyber Essentials Certification with Whalley Computer Systems

Cyber Essentials is a government-backed certification designed to help businesses protect themselves from the most common cyber threats and ensure compliance with essential security standards.

For businesses in Manchester, achieving Cyber Essentials is not just about security it’s about maintaining trust, compliance, and a competitive edge in an increasingly digital landscape.

Why Cyber Essentials is Vital for Manchester Businesses

Manchester is a hub of innovation and business growth, making it a target for cyber threats. Whether you’re an SME, a growing startup, or a larger organisation, protecting your business against cyber risks is essential to safeguarding sensitive data and ensuring operational continuity. Cyber Essentials provides a structured framework that demonstrates your commitment to cyber security to clients, partners, and stakeholders.

Protect Your Business, Build Trust

By achieving Cyber Essentials with Whalley Computer Systems, you’ll enhance your business’s resilience to cyber threats, meet compliance requirements, and demonstrate your commitment to security to clients and partners.

Get started on your journey to certification today contact us to learn more about how Whalley Computer Systems can help secure your Manchester business.

Why Manchester Businesses Choose Whalley Computer Systems

At WCS Computing, we understand the unique needs of Manchester’s business community. Companies across the region trust us to simplify and streamline the Cyber Essentials certification process. Here’s why:

  • Local Expertise
    We’re based in Manchester and have extensive experience working with local businesses. We understand the specific challenges and opportunities you face and tailor our approach to meet your needs.

  • Step-by-Step Support
    From initial assessments to certification, our team provides hands-on guidance at every stage. We simplify the process to help you achieve certification quickly and efficiently.

  • Reliable IT Support
    When you need us, our IT Service Desk is on hand to assist, ensuring you’re always supported before, during, and after the certification process.

cyber-essentials-logo

 

What are the benefits of getting Cyber Essentials certified?   

Any business wanting to supply to a government organisation from June 2021 will need this accreditation.

 

Build a trustworthy reputation

Cyber Essentials is a nationally recognised, government-backed certification. A Cyber Essentials accreditation empowers your workers with up-to-date security knowledge and assures your customers that their personal details are secure within your business.

Ongoing compliance

Don’t just meet recommended standards; exceed them with an ongoing and renowned accreditation. Ensure that your business is leading the way in up-to-date compliance and security procedures.

Protect your data

Cyber Essentials is the foundation of every well-protected businesses, staff and customers. Learn what it takes to keep your critical data secure and out of the hands of cybercriminals.

Not sure where to begin?

It starts with one call to our Cyber Security experts.

Book a strategy session with a Whalley Computer Systems expert

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What does Cyber Essentials cover?

Getting your Cyber Essentials training will provide you with a foundational IT health check for your business.

 

Guidance to mitigate risks

Learn how to take essential precautions to protect your business from cyber-attacks. Gain clear guidance regarding the basic controls all organisations should implement to mitigate the risks of common internet-based threats.

Boundary firewalls & internet gateways

To pass the certification, you will need to protect your internet connection with a firewall that analyses incoming traffic. This level of protection is essential across every device so that all your bases are covered.  

Patch management

Cybercriminals seek to exploit vulnerabilities in software and systems. These blind spots for businesses occur when applications, devices or operating systems are not regularly updated. Cyber Essentials ensures that you are entirely up to date with all licensing and software requirements.

Malware protection

Cyber Essentials ensures that you are aware of the numerous ways malware compromises sensitive data. Whether it’s through email, webpages or a USB stick – it’s vital to restrict malware access in every way possible.

Secure configuration

Cyber Essentials requires organisations to configure computers and network devices securely, preventing vulnerabilities, cyber risks and data breaches.

Access control

It is crucial that no unauthorised entities can reach your sensitive data. Cyber Essentials ensures you meet access control requirements, authenticating a user before granting them access to data.

Book a strategy session with a Whalley Computer Systems expert

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Here’s how to get certified

First, choose which type of training is best for your business right now.
Whalley Computer Systems offers three packages and will support you throughout the entire process.

 

Cyber Essentials
From £699 + VAT

  •  Internal audit completed with help from Whalley Computer Systems.

  •  Cost includes assessment fee and up to 1-day onsite support for the security audit.

Significantly larger compliance issues would be quoted for and may incur additional costs.

Cyber Essentials Plus
£ Ask

  •  External audit provided by an accredited agency, Xyone.

  •  Changes required following the audit will be completed in the fixed cost.

Significantly larger compliance issues would be quoted for and may incur additional costs.

Managed Cyber Security
£ Ask

  •  Whalley Computer Systems will provide you with fully outsourced cyber security protection.

  •  Yearly renewal of Cyber Essentials.


  •  Changes required following the audit will be completed in the fixed cost.

Significantly larger compliance issues would be quoted for and may incur additional costs.

Managed Cyber Security
From £250 pm + VAT

  •  Whalley Computer Systems will provide you with fully outsourced cyber security protection.

  •  Yearly renewal of Cyber Essentials.

  •  Regular security audits and reporting.

Want something more than guidance from a generic framework document for your Cyber Security?

We have some advanced cyber strategies that are implemented at government level, that go beyond the normal levels, but it's not for the faint-hearted and you will need a big cheque book to do it properly, because it can't be a half way house, it requires change from the bottom to the top.
Cyber Essentials is just that, the clue is in the name. It's the essential layer, and a baseline minimal effort for all.
But do you believe GCHQ (who approve the cyber essentials framework), other agencies and global organisations use Microsoft 365 and Sharepoint? of course they don't, and those that do use it selectively alongside alternative packages. An advanced cyber security strategy helps serious organisations protect sensitive information and assets by identifying vulnerabilities and implementing preventative measures against espionage and unauthorized access.
They deploy the best software and hardware to control their organisation's processes and knowledge. It includes steps like establishing security protocols, conducting regular audits, measuring performance, and training personnel on counterintelligence awareness. As well as better software and hardware choices, with various levels of sophistication and cost. It will touch every corner of your organisation and you will need the very best and committed personnel at all levels of management. Many hard decisions have to be made and changes made to not go down the same route as every other sheep organisation.
Jaguar Land Rover. Marks and Spencer. Co-op. Harrods. NHS Wannacry attack. Crowdstrike Disaster July 2024.
All the above related organisations at some point were lazy with processes and policy, at some level, multiplied by the passage of time, changing of the guard/government/politics/PSCs, processes being forgotten, staff changeover rates, cost cutting. Whether the mistakes were IT in nature or just the usual human ignorance of standards in favour of reducing costs, at any cost.
Does it sound like something you want to do or need to do? Our Advanced Cyber Strategy (ACS) service could be made available to you, if you're as brave and cunning as the wolf behind this paragraph. If so, don't be a sheep and don't get caught out.

Want to pass your Cyber Essentials accreditation first time?

We will support you and prepare you throughout the entire process.

Book a strategy session with a Whalley Computer Systems expert

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Why work with Whalley Computer Systems?

IT solutions for all industries

We deliver tailored IT solutions for all industries. Conveniently based in Manchester, we offer high-quality managed IT services across a wide range of sectors, including Travel, Fashion, Manufacturing, Recruitment, and Finance.

Wealth of experience

Our team receives ongoing training on the latest threats, software advancements, and compliance updates. You can trust that your data, applications, and systems are secure with us. Rest assured – your IT is in safe hands.

Bespoke support

We understand that every business is unique, which is why our solutions are custom-built specifically for your needs.

Book a strategy session with a Whalley Computer Systems expert

Book a Consultation