Implementing the UK Cyber Governance Code of Practice with IASME Cyber Assurance

In this episode, we discuss the crucial topic of cyber governance for business leaders. With 74% of large businesses and 70% of medium businesses in the UK experiencing a cyber breach in the past year, boards are now clearly expected to lead on cyber risk. In response, the UK government (via DSIT and NCSC) has introduced the voluntary Cyber Governance Code of Practice to guide boards and directors.

The Code distils five key principles for effective cyber governance: Risk Management, Strategy, People, Incident Planning & Response, and Assurance & Oversight. However, implementing these practices can be a challenge.

Our deep dive focuses on a pragmatic roadmap to implement the Code: the IASME Cyber Assurance standard. Formerly known as "IASME Governance", this government-backed standard is comprehensive yet accessible, developed with UK government support as an alternative to more complex standards like ISO/IEC 27001.

Using IASME Cyber Assurance to implement the Code offers several benefits:

• Integrated Approach: It delivers both the Cyber Governance Code's requirements and the technical controls of Cyber Essentials in one unified effort, avoiding duplicate work.

• Structured Guidance: IASME provides detailed guidance, templates, and a structured question set to lead you through implementing controls, so you don't have to "reinvent the wheel".

• Comprehensive Coverage: The standard covers technical controls, risk management, data protection (like GDPR), and regulatory compliance.

• External Assurance: It culminates in an independent certification, providing tangible proof to stakeholders that your cyber governance meets a national standard.

Learn how following a structured roadmap using IASME can help organisations achieve significant cyber maturity relatively quickly, often within ~3–6 months to certification.

Implementing these steps can be challenging, which is why partnering with an NCSC-accredited Cyber Advisor can be invaluable. Advisors, like our sponsor Cool Waters Cyber, provide expert gap analysis, hands-on remediation support, plain-English communication, project management, and certification liaison. They offer a clear, pragmatic roadmap and help streamline the process, ensuring you meet the standards effectively.

Cool Waters Cyber offers a comprehensive service to help boards implement the Cyber Governance Code of Practice. They provide tailored support backed by real-world experience and plain-English advice.

Ready to strengthen your cyber governance? Cool Waters Cyber can help your firm implement the new code.

Need help with Cyber Security?

Speak to Cool Waters Cyber - NCSC assured Cyber Advisors and Cyber Essentials experts - www.cool-waters.co.uk