At the start of the year, we caught up with Kevin Embleton, Managing Director of Concept IT to talk about how cyber security expectations are changing for regulated and professional services organisations, and why the role of a Cyber Advisor is becoming increasingly important.
It is a conversation we are having more often. Questions around compliance, cyber insurance requirements, and audit readiness are no longer occasional or reactive. For many organisations, they are now part of routine business discussions.
Cyber security is no longer something that comes into focus only when there is a problem. It directly affects how insurers, auditors, regulators, and clients view organisations for businesses operating in regulated environments; that shift has been significant.
The pressure facing regulated organisations
Across sectors such as finance, legal, accountancy, consultancy, and ISO certified organisations, expectations have tightened. Cyber insurance providers increasingly require evidence of security controls before offering or renewing cover. Auditors expect documented processes rather than verbal reassurance. Regulators expect cyber security to be understood and managed at the leadership level.
Many organisations only begin assessing their cyber security position when something triggers the need. An insurance renewal, an upcoming audit, or a request from a client. When that happens, uncertainty often follows. Are we doing enough? Are we compliant? Would our approach stand up to scrutiny today?
This is where a Cyber Advisor plays an important role.
What a Cyber Advisor is in the UK
In the UK, the Cyber Advisor role sits within a recognised scheme delivered by IASME in partnership with the National Cyber Security Centre. It is closely aligned with Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus and is designed to help organisations understand, achieve, and maintain the controls required by the scheme.
A Cyber Advisor is independently assessed and approved to guide Cyber Essentials requirements. This includes helping organisations understand their current position, identify gaps, and take practical steps to improve their cyber security posture.
Importantly, this guidance is neutral and proportionate. It is not about selling products or pushing unnecessary change. It is about helping organisations meet recognised standards in a way that makes sense for their size, sector, and risk profile.
How Cyber Advisor support helps regulated businesses
For regulated and ISO driven organisations, cyber security needs to be demonstrable. It must be documented, defensible, and aligned with recognised frameworks such as Cyber Essentials.
A Cyber Advisor helps organisations prepare for compliance checks, insurance reviews, and audits by providing structured assessments and clear improvement plans. Rather than reacting under pressure, businesses have a clear understanding of their cyber security position and how it aligns with recognised requirements.
This approach supports audit readiness, strengthens insurance applications, and gives regulators and clients confidence that cyber risk is being actively managed rather than addressed only when something goes wrong.
Why Concept IT chose to become a Cyber Advisor
Becoming a Cyber Advisor was a deliberate decision for Concept IT. Over many years of supporting businesses, we saw a growing gap between what organisations were expected to demonstrate and the guidance available to help them do so.
Too often, businesses were told they needed Cyber Essentials without being given clear, practical advice on how to achieve it or what it meant for their day-to-day operations. Guidance was frequently fragmented or overly technical, leaving organisations unsure where to start or what to prioritise.
Today, we are proud to be the only certified Cyber Advisors in our local area in Durham. We support regulated and professional services organisations with straightforward, honest guidance aligned to Cyber Essentials and wider best practice. This status sits naturally alongside our ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 certifications and reflects our commitment to quality, security, and continual improvement.
A message from our Managing Director
Kevin Embleton explains why Cyber Advisor status matters to Concept IT:
“Cyber Essentials has become an important benchmark for many organisations, particularly those operating in regulated sectors. Becoming a Cyber Advisor allows us to guide businesses through that process properly, helping them understand what is required, why it matters, and how to achieve it without unnecessary disruption. For us, it is about clarity, responsibility, and building long-term resilience.”
Starting with a cyber health check
For many organisations, the most effective place to start is a cyber health check aligned to Cyber Essentials requirements. This provides a clear snapshot of current cyber security controls and highlights areas that may need attention.
A cyber health check helps answer the questions business leaders are already asking. Are systems adequately protected? Are users introducing risk? Would the organisation feel confident during an audit or insurance review? Are there gaps that could prevent Cyber Essentials certification?
With Cyber Advisor guidance, these questions are addressed methodically, with clear priorities and realistic next steps.
Cyber security is an ongoing responsibility
Cyber security is not a one off exercise. Threats evolve, regulations change, and certification requirements are reviewed. For regulated businesses, this means cyber security needs ongoing attention rather than a single assessment.
At Concept IT, we take a proactive approach, helping organisations maintain Cyber Essentials controls, stay aligned with regulatory expectations, and reduce risk over time.
For regulated businesses and professional services firms, this ongoing support provides reassurance. It allows leaders to focus on running their organisation, knowing that cyber security is being managed with care, clarity, and accountability.
As cyber security continues to influence compliance, insurance, and client expectations, having access to a certified Cyber Advisor is becoming increasingly important
At Concept IT, we are proud to support organisations in taking control of cyber security in a practical, transparent, and long-term way.