November 7, 2022, marks the start of the Cyber Essentials Charity campaign in which registered charities receive a discount on their Cyber Essentials assessment. But charities must act fast to take advantage...

Charities are sitting on a data treasure trove. Valuable information on beneficiaries, supporters and volunteers as well as invoice and payment details can be sold by cyber criminals and used to identify other targets.

In the present digital, post-COVID age, trust and cyber security are interwoven. By achieving Cyber Essentials, a charity can demonstrate commitment to cyber security and protection of customer data.

IASME is working closely with the NCSC to educate charities about the cyber threat they face and inform them about the benefits of Cyber Essentials.

In partnership with selected Certification Bodies around the UK and Crown Dependencies, IASME will be offering support and guidance as well as a discount to the price of certification to help you achieve Cyber Essentials.

The discount will be as follows:

Is my charity eligible for the discounted rates?

• You will need to give your registered charity number to your chosen Certification Body (see below), and they will check it against the Charity Commission Register.
• You must apply for your Cyber Essentials certification during the Cyber Essentials for Charities week, which starts on November 7. Cut off will be 5pm on November 18.
• You must start the process within one month of application and must have completed and submitted the assessment by May 18, 2023.
• If these conditions are not met, IASME and/ or participating Certification Bodies reserve the right to invoice the previous discount or require the charity to re-apply at full cost.

List of participating Certification Bodies

This list includes all participating bodies but also includes all of our Trusted Partners.

Our Trusted Partners are the companies we turn to when a company becomes the victim of a cyber-attack. They are experts in their field, are extremely helpful and we highly recommend you choose one of them should you take up this offer.

The Cyber Essentials Readiness Tool

If you need help getting started on your Cyber Essentials journey you can access the free Cyber Essentials Readiness Tool, developed on behalf of the NCSC by IASME.

The Readiness Tool is a free, online tool accessible in the form of a set of interactive questions on the IASME website.

The process of working through the questions will inform you about your charity’s level of cyber security and what aspects you need to focus on.

Based on your answers, you will be directed towards guidance written in plain English and at the end of the process, be presented with a tailored action plan and detailed guidance for your next steps towards certification.

Reporting

Report all Fraud and Cybercrime to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 or online. Forward suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk. Report SMS scams by forwarding the original message to 7726 (spells SPAM on the keypad).