New ‘Secured by Design’ scheme for cybercrime protection
The Police Digital Security Centre (PDSC) have launched two new certification schemes, in partnership with BSI and CREST, creating the first police-backed assurance standards for cybercrime protection.
It can often be confusing for consumers to find a digital security provider who they can trust to deliver a product or service that meets their needs. Two new PDSC certifications are intended to ensure an easily identifiable platform of best practice across the digital landscape: the Digital Security Products and Services scheme and the Business Resilience scheme.
Digital Security Products and Services scheme
The Digital Security Products and Services scheme is for providers offering digital security products, services and consultancy.
Companies who successfully achieve certification will be awarded a ‘Secured by Design Police Preferred Specification Digital Security Provider’ badge for 12 months. This confirms that the product, service or consultancy offered by a provider meets the high standards set by Secured by Design, British Standards Insitute (BSI) – the national standards body of the UK – and CREST – an international accreditation and certification body.
Simon Newman, Strategic Development Lead for the PDSC, said: “This unique and recognisable accreditation will assist product vendors who are seeking a clear differential in a very crowded and ever-changing digital security marketplace.
“Businesses will benefit from it because it will enable them to demonstrate that they have taken effective security steps to instill confidence in their product and supply chain and help end users choose effective and appropriate solutions.
“The overall objective is to achieve an industry-recognised security standard for producers of cyber defence products in the same way that Secured by Design (SBD) has achieved for manufacturers of security-related products in the building industry, such as doors, windows and locks.”
Business Resilience scheme
The Business Resilience scheme is to support businesses in reducing their vulnerability to cybercrime. Developed by PDSC and the BSI, this new certification scheme will help small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) promote the fact that they take their digital and cyber security seriously.
The Business Resilience scheme has two certificates: the ‘Digitally Aware’ certificate and the ‘Digitally Resilient’ certificate:
Digitally Aware certificate
The ‘Digitally Aware’ certificate is an entry-level certificate aimed at businesses with the lowest risk of cybercrime. To obtain a Police/BSI Certificate, applicants will need to successfully complete an online questionnaire that is based on the National Cyber Security Centre’s (NCSC) ‘Small Business Guide’.
Digitally Resilient certificate
The ‘Digitally Resilient’ certificate is aimed at those organisations with a higher risk of cybercrime. Assessment is carried out through the PDSC’s partners, BSI and CREST.
To achieve the ‘Digitally Resilient’ certification, applicants will need to demonstrate compliance with at least the Government’s Cyber Essentials Scheme and potentially ISO 27001 or other relevant certification.
Police Digital Security Centre (PDSC) is part of Police Crime Prevention Initiatives (PCPI), a police-owned organisation that works on behalf of the Police Service.
For more information visit www.policecpi.com
