North-east IT specialist Clark Integrated Technologies is continuing to champion cyber security for businesses by becoming the first in the region to become a qualified certification body offering the highest level a Government-endorsed scheme to beat the risks of internet-borne threats.
At a time when research shows that 43% of businesses experienced a cyber security breach or attack in the last 12 months, Clark IT has become the only firm north of Edinburgh – and one of only a handful of Scottish companies – to be a certifying body in both Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus.
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The Plus scheme is an advanced approach to cyber security, identifying fundamental security controls that organisations should have in place to secure themselves against common cyber threats. The MoD requires its suppliers to have the Plus certificate and will be become a standard across the public sector in the future.
It’s a step up from Cyber Essentials accreditation where organisations are assessed in how to lower their risk of serious data and financial loss and which shows their own clients they are aware of the technical security controls and is a pre-requisite for tendering for public sector contracts.
Austen Clark, managing director of Clark IT said: “We have already helped scores of businesses gain Cyber Essentials certification, placing them at an advantage in being able to demonstrate their security and offering them opportunities to bid for government contracts.
“We’re proud to be the first in the area to take that to the next level with Cyber Essentials Plus which is an accreditation that businesses can really hang their hat on, and one that is necessary for any firms wishing to work with the MoD.
“These Government-endorsed certificates show organisations are certified to do business in the digital economy and, going forward, will become a kitemark for cybersecurity.
“It’s more than a qualification on a piece of paper, it is a robust level of security awareness that places businesses in a strong position and shows they are focused on what has become a very real threat to organisations large and small.
“We’ve worked hard over the past 15 months to achieve this and we’re very pleased to be one of a few certification bodies for all services from the accreditation body IASME, along with providing GDPR services.”
