Pentest People, a company in the penetration testing as a service (PTaaS) and cybersecurity sector, has become the first Leeds-based firm to qualify as a cyber advisor (Cyber Essentials) under the NCSC’s Cyber Advisor scheme. The scheme aims to simplify cyber defence journeys for participating organisations by granting them effortless access to guidance and expertise from certified professionals. This programme has been developed in association with IASME.
The Cyber Advisor scheme was introduced during CyberUK in Belfast the previous year. It is specifically designed to cater to the cybersecurity requirements of small and medium-sized organisations across the UK. The scheme primarily focuses on aiding these organisations in establishing the five Cyber Essentials Technical Controls, which the NCSC recognises as a robust starting point for defending against prevalent cyber threats, such as ransomware attacks.
By achieving Cyber Advisor (Cyber Essentials) status, Pentest People reassures its potential partners that it is a service provider capable of offering cybersecurity advice of an NCSC-approved standard. This comes in light of their successful completion of an independent assessment, which includes a deep understanding of the Cyber Essentials technical controls, proficiency in providing hands-on support, and the ability to liaise with and accommodate the specific needs of small and medium-sized organisations.
In its role as an accredited Cyber Advisor, Pentest People is obliged to maintain the high standards set by the NCSC, gaining recognition as an Assured Service Provider.
Elly Beal, a Cyber Essentials Assessor at Pentest People, explains that small and medium-sized companies are often under-equipped to handle their cybersecurity needs efficiently. They lack in-house expertise and fail to find access to qualified professionals who can assist them. As a result, whether businesses, schools, or charities, they struggle to determine how best to use their limited resources.
She highlights that their Cyber Advisors (Cyber Essentials) have shown exceptional skills in the Certificate of Competence in Cyber Essentials Implementation independent assessment. They can use their expertise and deep understanding of technical controls to provide practical, hands-on IT configuration and support to companies. This way, they ensure that organisations can effectively secure their business operations.
Founded in 2018, Pentest People has been striving to bring the advantages of PTaaS to the forefront. Through innovative approaches to security testing, it has successfully provided clients with a comprehensive threat system throughout their contract duration rather than at a single point in time.
Pentest People's qualification as a Cyber Advisor (Cyber Essentials) marks a significant milestone for the company and the Leeds cybersecurity sector. By becoming the first Leeds-based firm to achieve this status, Pentest People reaffirms its commitment to providing top-tier cybersecurity services and guidance to small and medium-sized organisations. With their expertise and dedication, Pentest People continues to play a vital role in enhancing cybersecurity resilience for businesses across the UK.