What is Cyber Essentials Certification?
Cyber Essentials certification is a gold standard for security compliance in the UK, which verifies that organisations of any size implement the five core cybersecurity controls. It is completed through a self-assessment questionnaire that is independently verified.
For healthcare providers, it is imperative that an accredited assessor independently tests these controls. Being certified with Cyber Essentials informs customers and partners that an organisation of any size can technically:
- Properly control user access
- Use firewalls to block unauthorised access
- Use strong malware protection
- Maintain secure device configurations
- Apply timely software updates
Established by the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), the certification for Cyber Essentials confirms that systems are protected against common cybersecurity threats.
What does it mean that Heidi is now certified with Cyber Essentials Plus?
Obtaining Cyber Essentials certification is straightforward and cost-effective, often achievable within a few weeks with proper preparation. This step is a prerequisite to achieving a certification for Cyber Essentials Plus (CE+), which requires a hands-on technical assessment.
Heidi's Cyber Essentials Plus certification demonstrates that it has been rigorously tested and proven effective in preventing and detecting genuine attack scenarios. With Heidi’s CE+ certification, your organisation just improved its safety and security measures.
We help you meet the level of security patients expect
We demonstrate a commitment to safety that patients and clinicians rely on at Heidi. We employ guardrails that can stand against phishing-based attacks or malware infections. Our CE+ attestation strengthens protection across clinical and operational systems.
Only the right people can access the right information
Breaches in the UK can be largely prevented by simply blocking unauthorised access. Heidi protects sensitive patient data with validated safeguards through strict access controls. These controls are grounded in least-privilege principles, ensuring each user can only see the information required for their role.
Strengthening confidence through certified, accountable systems
At Heidi, our CE+ certification adds a layer of assurance that our systems hold clinical or patient data that meets the recognised minimum standard of protection. CE+ demonstrates not only that we have strong technical safeguards in place, but also that independent assessors have verified how these safeguards operate in real environments.
Adoption of Cyber Essentials-certified Heidi has been successful in the UK. Heidi has demonstrated better clinician and patient experience in a pilot with an NHS Trust.
Heidi helped achieve an 86% improvement in documentation time and more than five minutes per patient session in an SDEC setting. Communication has also improved in clinical workflows, where 95% of clinicians reported reduced burnout and 95% of patients felt that clinicians were more attentive.
These results reinforce the value of a secure and compliant technology in environments that demand standards such as Cyber Essentials certification. But as an AI care partner, what is Heidi’s strategy to maintain this credential?
How does Heidi maintain certification for Cyber Essentials?
Organisations with certifications for Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus must undergo ongoing evaluations to keep processes and changes compliant. Heidi is committed to maintaining the five core controls for security, as it is a sure-fire way to assure the trust of clinicians and patients.
Annual Renewal Assessments
Cyber Essentials certifications generally expire after 12 months, so maintaining one requires external verification yearly. For Cyber Essentials Plus, Heidi’s maintenance includes annual technical tests done independently.
Continuous Security Monitoring
We conduct regular internal inspections to maintain these controls, including vulnerability scans and device compliance validations. Furthermore, our employees receive regular updates on safety practices and awareness training regarding new cybersecurity threats. This ensures that all our systems and operations are continuously monitored for compliance.
Automated Patching Processes
We maintain our security certifications and Cyber Essentials by enforcing hardened endpoint and cloud configurations, rapid patching for high-risk vulnerabilities, and retirement of unsupported systems. We maintain Cyber Essentials Plus status and enforce WAF rate‑limiting with DDoS mitigation controls.
Keep Your Organisation’s Data Secure with Cyber Essentials-Certified Heidi
Heidi is designed to be your long-term AI care partner, managing all administrative and compliance necessities of care. This allows your organisation to focus on its core mission: practising medicine and helping patients.
Cyber Essentials Plus is only one of our growing list of certifications that demonstrates our commitment to prioritising data security and clinical safety of our clients, particularly in the UK. As you move care forward, our communication channels are always open for your security concerns.
FAQs About Cyber Essentials Certification
Hospitals and clinics face evolving cyber risks every day, which endanger patient data and the continuity of care. Getting certified with Cyber Essentials is only the first step to place baseline protection against potential phishing, ransomware, and other types of cyber vulnerabilities. Achieving CE and CE+ certification is tangible evidence that builds patient and clinician trust in the delivery of AI-assisted care.
