Cyber Security Innovation Vouchers
August 1, 2015
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is funding a special strand of Innovation Vouchers to help UK businesses get expert advice in protecting their business from cyber crime which could help them to achieve accreditation under the Cyber Essentials scheme.
You can get an Innovation Voucher worth up to £5,000 to pay for an external expert. This expert will give you advice on cyber security for your business and may be able to help you acquire accreditation through Cyber Essentials. You can also use the voucher for advice on how to protect new business ideas and intellectual property in cyber security.
The Cyber Essentials scheme helps organisations protect themselves against common cyber attacks. It can help you develop a secure platform for your business activities. You can also get accreditation to show that you have taken these precautions.
You may need accreditation if you are a supplier bidding for a government contract. Since 2014, all suppliers handling sensitive and personal information need Cyber Essentials accreditation.
There are 2 levels of certification available through the scheme:
- Cyber Essentials – an external assessor reviews your responses to a questionnaire
- Cyber Essentials PLUS – an external assessor carries out tests of your IT security systems
If you need advice and accreditation you will need two separate providers. You can use an Innovation Voucher towards the cost of Cyber Essentials PLUS. You cannot use it for Cyber Essentials alone but you may be able to use it to get extra advice that leads to Cyber Essentials.
Find out more by giving us a call, and to learn more about Cyber Essentials click here