01 June 2026
The CDI is now a Cyber Essentials Accredited Organisation
By Dan Hope, Digital Project Manager, CDI
With the importance of digital security growing exponentially year on year, the CDI Digital team has spent the last few months working towards achieving the Cyber Essentials digital certification - and as of April 2026 we can now confirm that we are a Cyber Essentials certified organisation!
What is Cyber Essentials?
Cyber Essentials is a UK government-backed certification scheme designed to help organisations protect themselves and their users – both staff and members - against the most common cyber threats. Built around a foundation of core technical controls, it provides a practical and accessible baseline for improving cyber security. For organisations such as ours, who believe in demonstrating best practice across the sector, achieving Cyber Essentials is more than a badge of good practice; it is a clear example that cyber risk is being taken seriously and managed in a structured way.
In a digital landscape where cyber risks continue to grow, certification shows that the CDI’s cyber security arrangements have been independently assessed against a recognised standard. Achieving Cyber Essentials is a practical and valuable step for any organisation that wants to improve its cyber security posture, build trust, and strengthen its digital position.
What does this mean?
One of the biggest benefits of Cyber Essentials is that it helps reduce our exposure to the most common internet-based attacks. According to official guidance, organisations with the Cyber Essentials controls in place are far less likely to suffer common attacks, ensuring security for both company data and member data. It provides a clear framework for tackling common threats, demonstrates commitment to good practice, and can open the door to new opportunities.
In an environment where customers and partners are increasingly concerned about how organisations handle data and digital systems, Cyber Essentials offers visible reassurance. This can strengthen credibility, support brand reputation, and give clients, suppliers, and stakeholders greater confidence that information is being handled responsibly.
It also provides a network of like-minded organisations working together to protect and secure their digital architectures. Contact with other certified organisations helps spread awareness of potential threats, share solutions, and brings disparate groups together to help reinforce the standards they’ve all worked hard to achieve.
How does this affect our members?
The security of our members’ data has always been our highest priority, and undertaking the accreditation not only proves our commitment to this security, but also shows that we work daily to ensure that we maintain the standards set by Cyber Essentials. This affects not only how we store your data, but also who we authorise to access this data, the devices and networks they use daily, and the practices in place within the CDI to maintain this security.
This means that when you do submit data to us – whether it’s the personal development you store on our CPD Diary, the Professional Register profile you allow us to share on our site, or the private demographic data you provide to us in the Members Area – you can be confident in the security of that data, and the awareness that the CDI works to protect and secure that data.
For more information on how we process and utilise your data, access our GDPR Statement.
For more information on Cyber Essentials and what this means, visit the National Cyber Security Centre website.
For instances where we do require additional support with data, we are registered and work closely with the Information Commissioner’s Office.
With the importance of digital security growing exponentially year on year, the CDI Digital team has spent the last few months working towards achieving the Cyber Essentials digital certification - and as of April 2026 we can now confirm that we are a Cyber Essentials certified organisation!
What is Cyber Essentials?
Cyber Essentials is a UK government-backed certification scheme designed to help organisations protect themselves and their users – both staff and members - against the most common cyber threats. Built around a foundation of core technical controls, it provides a practical and accessible baseline for improving cyber security. For organisations such as ours, who believe in demonstrating best practice across the sector, achieving Cyber Essentials is more than a badge of good practice; it is a clear example that cyber risk is being taken seriously and managed in a structured way.
In a digital landscape where cyber risks continue to grow, certification shows that the CDI’s cyber security arrangements have been independently assessed against a recognised standard. Achieving Cyber Essentials is a practical and valuable step for any organisation that wants to improve its cyber security posture, build trust, and strengthen its digital position.
What does this mean?
One of the biggest benefits of Cyber Essentials is that it helps reduce our exposure to the most common internet-based attacks. According to official guidance, organisations with the Cyber Essentials controls in place are far less likely to suffer common attacks, ensuring security for both company data and member data. It provides a clear framework for tackling common threats, demonstrates commitment to good practice, and can open the door to new opportunities.
In an environment where customers and partners are increasingly concerned about how organisations handle data and digital systems, Cyber Essentials offers visible reassurance. This can strengthen credibility, support brand reputation, and give clients, suppliers, and stakeholders greater confidence that information is being handled responsibly.
It also provides a network of like-minded organisations working together to protect and secure their digital architectures. Contact with other certified organisations helps spread awareness of potential threats, share solutions, and brings disparate groups together to help reinforce the standards they’ve all worked hard to achieve.
How does this affect our members?
The security of our members’ data has always been our highest priority, and undertaking the accreditation not only proves our commitment to this security, but also shows that we work daily to ensure that we maintain the standards set by Cyber Essentials. This affects not only how we store your data, but also who we authorise to access this data, the devices and networks they use daily, and the practices in place within the CDI to maintain this security.
This means that when you do submit data to us – whether it’s the personal development you store on our CPD Diary, the Professional Register profile you allow us to share on our site, or the private demographic data you provide to us in the Members Area – you can be confident in the security of that data, and the awareness that the CDI works to protect and secure that data.
For more information on how we process and utilise your data, access our GDPR Statement.
For more information on Cyber Essentials and what this means, visit the National Cyber Security Centre website.
For instances where we do require additional support with data, we are registered and work closely with the Information Commissioner’s Office.
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