System 15 achieves Cyber Essentials Plus certification

Following a rigorous independent audit, System 15 has successfully achieved the Cyber Essentials Plus certification

System15 has successfully achieved the Cyber Essentials Plus certification following a rigorous independent audit, marking a significant milestone in its ongoing commitment to cyber security excellence.

Having held the Cyber Essentials certification for over a decade, since the business started, this latest achievement represents a step forward in providing clients with even greater assurance that their systems, data and operations are protected against today’s evolving cyber threats.

Cyber Essentials Plus is widely recognised as a higher level of certification within the UK’s government-backed cyber security scheme.

Unlike the standard Cyber Essentials certification, which is based on a self-assessment, Cyber Essentials Plus involves a detailed technical audit which is carried out by accredited external assessors. This independent verification confirms that security controls are not only in place but are actively tested, effective and resilient against the most common forms of cyber-attack.

For small to medium sized businesses working with System 15, this level of assurance is increasingly important.

Cyber threats continue to grow in both volume and sophistication meaning organisations need greater confidence that their technology partners are operating to recognised, externally validated standards.

What Cyber Essentials Plus means in practice

At its core, Cyber Essentials Plus focuses on five key technical controls that form the foundation of strong cyber security, protecting businesses as they do against the most common cyber threats:

• Secure configuration
• Boundary firewalls and internet gateways
• Access control and user accounts
• Patch management
• Malware protection

While these areas may sound straightforward, achieving certification at the ‘Plus’ level requires them to be implemented consistently across systems and proven through hands-on testing.

The audit process includes vulnerability scanning, device testing and verification that security measures are functioning as intended in real-world conditions. This ensures that protections are not just theoretical but actively defend against common cyber attack methods.

For clients of System15, this provides an additional layer of reassurance that their IT environment is being managed with a strong focus on security, compliance and best practice.

What’s involved in a Cyber Essentials Plus audit?

Cyber Essentials Plus goes beyond the self-assessment process needed for Cyber Essentials certification by independently testing our security controls against real-world conditions and threats.

Assessors began with external vulnerability scans to identify how our systems might appear to potential attackers, before reviewing a sample of our internal devices to ensure they were all securely configured and properly maintained.

This included checking that critical security patches are applied promptly and that systems are protected against known vulnerabilities.

They also test anti-malware tools, verify that users have appropriate access levels and confirm that multi-factor authentication (MFA) is enforced across all of our cloud-based services.

The result is clear, independent assurance that our security measures are not just in place but actively protecting both our business and our clients.

A decade of commitment to cyber security

System 15’s journey to Cyber Essentials Plus builds on more than ten years of maintaining Cyber Essentials certification.

During that time, the cyber threat landscape has changed dramatically. What were once relatively simple risks have evolved into more sophisticated attacks targeting businesses of all sizes, particularly SMEs, which are often seen as easier entry points.

Achieving Cyber Essentials Plus reflects not just a point-in-time certification, but an ongoing commitment to adapting, improving and maintaining high standards as threats evolve.

It also reinforces System15’s role as a trusted IT partner for businesses that rely on secure, stable and well-managed technology to operate effectively.

Get in touch for more informaiton about our Cyber Security services

Why this matters for our clients

For many organisations, cyber security can feel complex or difficult to navigate. Certifications like Cyber Essentials Plus help simplify that picture by providing a clear, recognised benchmark.

Cyber Essentials is now widely recognised as an industry standard and is frequently asked for when applying for contracts, funding and grants.

Most UK government contracts require suppliers to have at least the basic Cyber Essentials certification and many of the UK’s largest banks have recently pledged to incorporate Cyber Essentials into their supplier requirements.

Working with a provider that holds Cyber Essentials Plus means:

• Security controls have been independently tested and verified
• Systems are configured to protect against common cyber threats
• Best practices are embedded into day-to-day IT management
• There is a proactive approach to identifying and reducing risk

This is particularly valuable for businesses handling sensitive data, working within regulated industries, or needing to demonstrate strong security credentials to clients and partners.

Protect your business from Cyber attack

Cyber security is not a one-time achievement, rather it represents an ongoing process.

As technology continues to evolve, so too do the risks facing Gloucestershire businesses of all sizes, across all industries.

Achieving Cyber Essentials Plus is an important milestone, but it is also part of a broader commitment to continuous improvement, vigilance and client protection.

At System15, the focus remains on helping organisations operate with confidence, knowing their systems and data are supported by robust, independently verified security standards.

If you would like to know more about how your business can achieve a Cyber Essentials certification, contact a member of the team today.