Services Managed IT Services Business Internet Cloud Phone Systems Microsoft Teams Phone Business Mobile Advanced Wi-Fi Systems Cyber Security Connectivity & Hardware IT Consulting Structured Cabling AI & Automation Cloud Services Certifications
Case Studies
About About Us How We Work Onboarding / Switching Provider Contact Us
Login Book a Call

Home/Certifications

Security certifications

Helping your business meet recognised security standards

Security certifications are becoming more important for businesses of all sizes, whether it is for compliance, winning contracts, or simply demonstrating that your systems and processes are properly managed.

At Blackwood IT, we help businesses prepare for and achieve recognised cyber security standards by improving their IT systems, closing gaps, and working alongside approved accreditation bodies. We are not an accrediting body ourselves, our role is to make sure your IT environment is ready.

Book a Free Review → 01902 711 777
Blackwood IT certifications and security standards
Cyber Essentials Plus certified
Certified ourselves

Blackwood IT holds Cyber Essentials Plus certification

We practice what we preach. Blackwood IT is Cyber Essentials Plus certified, meaning our own systems have been independently tested and verified against the five key controls. When we help you achieve certification, we are guiding you through a process we have been through ourselves.

How we help

We handle the technical side

Our role is to make sure your IT environment meets the requirements for your chosen certification. We review your current systems, make the improvements needed, and support you through the process, so you can focus on running your business.

01
Review your current systems

We assess your environment against the relevant certification requirements and identify what needs to change.

02
Implement the changes needed

We make the technical improvements, security configuration, access controls, patching, and more.

03
Work with your chosen accreditor

We support the process and provide technical information to your accreditation body as required.

04
Maintain standards over time

Achieving a certification is not the end. Because we manage your IT environment, we help you stay compliant as things change.

A practical approach

Making certification achievable

Certifications can feel daunting, but in practice they are largely about making sure the right controls are in place and properly documented. We focus on doing that efficiently.

  • Clear guidance on what is required for each certification
  • Prioritising the most important improvements first
  • Implementing changes in a structured, managed way
  • Supporting you through the process from start to finish
  • Keeping disruption to your business to a minimum
Learn about our cyber security →
Certifications we support

From baseline protection to advanced assurance

Different certifications suit different businesses and requirements. Here is an overview of the certifications we help businesses work towards.

Cyber Essentials

Cyber Essentials

UK government-backed · Baseline certification

The UK government's baseline certification for cyber security. It focuses on ensuring your business has five key protective controls in place against the most common cyber threats.

Secure configuration of systems User access control Malware protection Firewalls and network security Keeping systems up to date
SMEs Government / public sector suppliers Contract requirement
Cyber Essentials Plus

Cyber Essentials Plus

Independently verified · Hands-on tested

Builds on Cyber Essentials but includes hands-on testing carried out by an external assessor. Your systems are not just declared secure, they are tested to confirm it.

Everything in Cyber Essentials Independent technical assessment Systems tested rather than self-assessed Greater confidence for clients and partners
Higher assurance needed Sensitive data Held by Blackwood IT
🌐

ISO/IEC 27001

Internationally recognised · Information security management

An internationally recognised standard for managing information security. It focuses on building a formal system for identifying, managing, and reducing risk, covering policies, procedures, access control, and ongoing monitoring.

Formal information security management system Risk assessment and treatment Access control and ongoing monitoring Globally recognised
Medium to larger organisations Sensitive or confidential data Compliance requirements
🛡️

IASME Cyber Assurance

Broader coverage · Governance and risk

Builds on Cyber Essentials and includes additional requirements around governance and risk management. It looks at both technical controls and how your business manages security overall, a practical alternative to ISO 27001 for many businesses.

Everything in Cyber Essentials Governance and risk management requirements More comprehensive than baseline CE Practical alternative to ISO 27001
Beyond baseline protection Improving overall security posture
🔍
CREST-accredited testing

Some businesses require penetration testing as part of their security posture or certification process. We can arrange CREST-accredited penetration testing through trusted partners, ensuring testing is carried out by qualified professionals. Get in touch to discuss your requirements.

What our clients say

Trusted by businesses across the West Midlands

★★★★★ 25 Google reviews
★★★★★

"I could not have been more impressed by the level of support provided by Blackwood IT. They were recommended to support us throughout our Cyber Essentials qualifications and could not have been more helpful. Whenever we need anything, Ian, Lee and the team are quick to respond and resolve any issues so I do not need to ever worry."

PA
Parade Agency
via Google
★★★★★

"Blackwood IT have recently taken over our IT services at Three Roses Homes, and the service has been nothing short of outstanding. From the initial visit through to now, we've received a true 5-star experience. Everything has been clearly explained in a way that's easy to understand, making the whole process smooth and stress-free."

TR
Three Roses Homes
via Google
★★★★★

"I have had the experience of the Blackwood IT support service for the last four months. They are very quick to respond to our requests for support, and are able to provide solutions to our IT problems every time we request their help. I would highly recommend them."

RS
Road Surface Treatments Association
via Google
Read all 25 reviews on Google →
Get started

Looking to achieve a security certification?

If you are planning to work towards Cyber Essentials, ISO 27001, or another certification, we can help. We will review your current setup, identify what needs to be done, and guide you through the process.

Book a Free Review → 01902 711 777
FAQ

Certifications — frequently asked questions

Common questions about certifications from Blackwood IT.

What is Cyber Essentials? +

Cyber Essentials is a UK government-backed certification that demonstrates a business has the five key security controls in place against the most common cyber threats: secure configuration, user access control, malware protection, firewall and internet gateway security, and patch management (keeping software up to date). It is increasingly required by public sector organisations and large enterprises from their supply chain.

What is the difference between Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus? +

Cyber Essentials is self-assessed — the business answers questions about its security controls and the answers are reviewed. Cyber Essentials Plus includes hands-on technical testing carried out by an independent assessor who verifies the controls are actually in place and working. Cyber Essentials Plus provides greater assurance and is often required for higher-risk contracts or where sensitive data is involved. Blackwood IT holds Cyber Essentials Plus certification.

How does Blackwood IT help a business achieve Cyber Essentials? +

Blackwood IT reviews the business's IT environment against the five Cyber Essentials controls, identifies gaps, implements the technical changes required — security configuration, access controls, patching, firewall rules — and supports the business through the submission and assessment process. Because Blackwood IT manages the IT environment, it can make changes directly rather than just advising.

What is ISO 27001? +

ISO/IEC 27001 is an internationally recognised standard for information security management. It requires a formal system for identifying, assessing and managing information security risks, covering policies, procedures, access control, incident management and ongoing monitoring. It is typically required by medium to larger organisations handling sensitive data or working with enterprise clients.

What is IASME Cyber Assurance? +

IASME Cyber Assurance builds on Cyber Essentials and adds requirements around governance and risk management — covering how the business manages security overall, not just technical controls. It is a practical and cost-effective alternative to ISO 27001 for many small and medium businesses that need to demonstrate more than baseline security.

Does a business need to be certified to achieve Cyber Essentials? +

Any UK business can achieve Cyber Essentials certification. It is not sector-specific, though it is increasingly required by organisations supplying to the public sector, NHS, MOD and large enterprises. Some insurance policies and contracts also require it. Blackwood IT can guide businesses through the process regardless of their current security posture.

Do you help with Cyber Essentials certification across the West Midlands? +

Yes. Blackwood IT helps businesses across the West Midlands — Wolverhampton, Birmingham, Walsall, Dudley, Coventry — and in Shropshire, Staffordshire, Worcestershire, Cheshire and Derbyshire work towards and achieve Cyber Essentials, Cyber Essentials Plus, ISO 27001 and IASME Cyber Assurance certifications.