We were built by an MSP owner, for MSPs. We assess and certify. You keep the client relationship, and all the technical work stays with you.
We've sat where you sit
Before Get Cyber Certified, Mark Kindred spent over 15 years running Netcom Technologies Ltd, a Sheffield MSP providing managed IT and cyber security support to businesses across the UK. Netcom also ran a mid-sized data centre serving MSPs and hosting providers across South Yorkshire. In October 2021, Netcom was acquired by Aabyss, and every member of staff stayed with the business.
In Mark's words at the time: “We are very proud of the reputation we have built over 16 years, providing proactive Managed IT and Cyber Security support from our home in Sheffield across the whole of the UK.”
That background shapes how we work with partners. We know what it's like to juggle tickets, projects and a client who suddenly needs a certificate by Friday. We know a good MSP protects its client relationships. So we designed our partner programme on the same model that worked for Netcom: clear roles, no surprises, and no competing for your clients.
“I enjoy seeing companies succeed, and nowadays to succeed you need to be secure.”
— Mark Kindred, Managing Director and Lead Assessor
How the partner programme works
As a Certification Body we have to stay impartial. That's what makes us a safe partner for you. We assess against the IASME Cyber Essentials requirements, tell you and your client where the setup doesn't meet them, and explain what's required. We never fix, implement, sell or recommend products. That's your expertise, and your revenue.
| Your role (the IT partner) | Our role (the Certification Body) | |
| Scope and setup | Know the client's estate and help define the scope | Explain the scope rules and answer questions |
| Questionnaire | Help your client gather the answers | Provide the platform and guidance on what each question means |
| Marking | — | IASME-licensed assessors mark every answer |
| Gaps | Implement the changes and choose the products | Identify where requirements aren't met and explain what's required |
| Certificate | Keep the controls in place all year | Issue the certificate and remind you before renewal |
- Talk to us. A short call to agree how you'd like to work and to set up partner terms.
- Introduce your client. You can place the order for them, or point them to us.
- Complete the assessment. Your client answers the questionnaire, usually with your help. A board-level member or equivalent from the client must sign the declaration.
- We mark it. Your client gets their own IASME-licensed assessor, who marks the answers and explains anything that doesn't meet the requirements.
- You put it right. Your team makes any changes, so the work stays with you.
- Certified. We issue the certificate and remind you and your client before renewal.
Need Cyber Essentials Plus? We deliver CE+ through one of our partner CE+ consultants. How CE+ works →
Two ways to work with us
Every MSP runs differently, so we have partner programmes to fit both ways of working:
- You lead. You stay the single point of contact for your client and work with us directly.
- We work with your client. We deal with your client directly through the assessment, while you look after the technical changes.
We'll agree the arrangement and partner terms that suit you on a short call.
What partners get
- Extra revenue. Certification is a natural extra to the services you already sell, and the changes it uncovers are work for your team.
- A stronger portfolio. You're seen as the provider who takes security seriously.
- Stickier clients. Certification renews every year, which gives you a regular reason to review each client's security together.
- Your clients stay yours. We don't offer IT support, products or managed services, so we'll never compete with you.
- Compliant customers. You help clients meet supply chain, insurance and public sector expectations.
- A Certification Body that speaks MSP. Your own assessor understands how MSPs work and answers questions quickly.
“Just a quick note to thank you for your assistance, having used your 24hr assisted certification for our client, I just wanted to drop you a line and thank you personally for pulling out all the stops to get us over the line. We look forward to working with you on the next one.”
— Scott Rogers, ABS Computer Systems
Partner questions
Can we complete the questionnaire for our client?
You can help gather and enter the answers, but they must accurately describe your client's organisation. A board-level member or equivalent from the client must sign the declaration.
Will you fix the issues you find?
No. As a Certification Body we stay impartial. We identify where requirements aren't met and explain what's required. You implement the changes.
Will you try to sell IT services to our clients?
Never. We don't provide IT support, products or managed services. We assess and certify only.
Can you deliver Cyber Essentials Plus?
Yes. We deliver CE+ through one of our partner CE+ consultants, so you and your client have one point of contact from start to finish.
Should we get certified ourselves?
We'd recommend it. Clients and buyers increasingly expect their IT provider to hold Cyber Essentials, and going through it yourself makes supporting clients easier.
More answers in our FAQs, or read What is Cyber Essentials?