Newcastle-based independent chartered accountancy and business advisory firm UNW has been awarded Cyber Essentials Plus certification for the second year running.
Cyber Essentials is a two-tier government backed scheme that helps organisations protect themselves against the burgeoning threat of cyber-attacks.
Building further on UNW’s initial certification in 2021, the reaccreditation demonstrates the firm’s ongoing commitment to cyber security and therefore the protection of its client’s data against cyber threats. The award also means that the business remains in the list of certified companies on the IASME (Information Assurance for Small and Medium Enterprises) consortium website.
Reflecting UNW’s unrelenting commitment to looking after its clients and providing them with the best possible service, the Cyber Essentials Plus certification comes in the wake of a significant expansion to its workforce and sustained growth across all areas of the business. The firm has welcomed 40 new recruits so far in 2022, including taking on 20 new trainees as it expanded its graduate and apprenticeship programmes.
In retaining the award, UNW once again worked with Richmond-based IT Security and Information Governance consultancy Evolve North which support organisations in achieving Cyber Essentials Plus certification via its Cyber Toolkit platform.
UNW’s Head of Operations Jacqui Brown, said: “We’re extremely proud to have retained our Cyber Essentials Plus accreditation for a second year with the assistance of Evolve North. We’re growing fast, with our headcount nearly at 160, so it’s even more important than ever that we embrace the very highest standards of cyber security and focus on guarding our client’s data (and our own systems) against cyber threats.
“Our work doesn’t stop here though. The very nature of cyber threats is that they are difficult to define and hard to anticipate. These threats are continually evolving, and we are working with our IT partners to continue to improve our systems and controls as we grow, ensuring the safety and security of the data we hold.”