Be Secure Cyber is an NCSC-assured Cyber Advisor provider supporting small and mid-sized organisations that need practical help with cyber security controls, Cyber Essentials readiness and security improvement.
The Cyber Advisor scheme is designed to help organisations get assured guidance focused on the Cyber Essentials technical controls. For many businesses, the issue is not a lack of security products. It is knowing what matters, what needs to be fixed first and how to make decisions that are proportionate to the organisation.
What Cyber Advisor support is for
Cyber Advisor support is useful when an organisation needs clear, practical help rather than a generic audit report.
Typical reasons include:
- preparing for Cyber Essentials
- understanding whether current controls are good enough
- dealing with customer or supplier assurance questions
- checking whether Microsoft 365 and cloud services are configured sensibly
- deciding what to fix first after a review
- getting leadership-level guidance without hiring a full-time security role
- building a realistic security improvement plan
The work is focused on practical improvement. The aim is to help the organisation understand its current position and make better security decisions.
How it relates to Cyber Essentials
Cyber Advisor support is closely linked to the Cyber Essentials technical controls. That makes it useful for organisations that are preparing for certification, have found gaps during readiness work or want to understand how the basics apply to their environment.
Cyber Essentials can identify what needs attention. Cyber Advisor support can help you interpret those findings and decide what action is appropriate.
This may include advice on:
- secure configuration
- access control
- multi-factor authentication
- security updates
- firewalls and internet-facing services
- cloud services
- devices and remote working
- administrator accounts
- practical evidence and ownership
What we provide
The scope depends on what the organisation needs.
Support may include:
- a focused review of current controls
- discussion with leadership or IT providers
- review of Cyber Essentials readiness
- Microsoft 365 and identity security considerations
- practical recommendations
- a prioritised remediation plan
- support with next-step decisions
- risk explanation that helps decision-makers understand the issue and technical teams act
The output should be useful to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Where possible, recommendations are prioritised so the organisation can act in a sensible order.
Suitable organisations
Cyber Advisor support is usually a good fit for:
- SMEs that need to improve cyber security without unnecessary complexity
- professional organisations preparing for client assurance requests
- businesses that use internal or external IT support and need an independent view
- organisations pursuing Cyber Essentials or Cyber Essentials Plus
- leadership teams that need clear advice before approving security work
- suppliers responding to public-sector or larger customer requirements
It is not intended to replace existing IT support. It can help the organisation understand what to ask for, what to prioritise and whether current arrangements are sufficient.
Working with internal or external IT support
Many organisations already have internal IT support, an outsourced IT provider or a mix of both. That is normal.
Cyber Advisor support can sit alongside those arrangements. We can help clarify what the business owns, what the IT provider manages and where decisions need to be made by leadership.
This can be particularly useful where a client requirement, Cyber Essentials assessment or supplier questionnaire exposes uncertainty about scope, ownership or evidence.
Outputs and next steps
Depending on the engagement, outputs may include:
- a summary of current issues
- prioritised findings
- practical recommendations
- a remediation roadmap
- notes for leadership or board discussion
- evidence guidance for Cyber Essentials or supplier assurance
- recommendations for follow-on review or support
Some organisations only need a short piece of advice. Others use Cyber Advisor support as the starting point for Cyber Essentials Plus, Microsoft 365 hardening, IASME Cyber Assurance or ongoing vCISO support .
Frequently asked questions
Is Cyber Advisor the same as Cyber Essentials certification?
No. Cyber Essentials is a certification scheme. Cyber Advisor support is practical guidance from an assured provider. The two are related because Cyber Advisor support is focused on helping organisations understand and improve against the Cyber Essentials technical controls.
Can you help before we apply for Cyber Essentials?
Yes. This is often the best time to get advice. A readiness discussion can identify likely issues before the assessment is submitted.
Can you work with our IT provider?
Yes. Many organisations we support use internal IT, outsourced IT providers or a mix of both. We can help clarify what information is needed and what responsibilities sit with the business.
Is this only for organisations in Glasgow?
No. Be Secure Cyber is based in Glasgow and works across the UK. Most Cyber Advisor support can be delivered remotely.
What happens after the advice?
That depends on the findings. Some organisations move into Cyber Essentials certification. Others need Microsoft 365 review, Cyber Essentials Plus readiness, supplier assurance support or a wider security roadmap.
Speak to us about Cyber Advisor support
If you need practical guidance from an NCSC-assured Cyber Advisor provider, contact Be Secure Cyber to discuss the issue you are trying to solve.