Achieve SMB1001 Certification with CyberGrape
What is SMB1001 and Why Does It Matter?
SMB1001 is a comprehensive cyber security certification standard designed specifically for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Developed by industry experts (via Dynamic Standards International) and first published in 2024, SMB1001 provides a clear, achievable roadmap for improving your organisation’s cyber defences without the complexity or cost of enterprise-grade frameworks.
The SMB1001 framework is organised into five certification levels that allow organisations to start at an appropriate maturity and grow over time. The levels are:
- Bronze – Basic security foundations (entry-level controls for starting your cyber security journey).
- Silver – Strengthened security measures (building on Bronze with additional safeguards).
- Gold – Advanced security protocols (a robust set of controls across people, process, and technology).
- Platinum – Comprehensive protection (extensive controls with external audit verification).
- Diamond – Highest level of cyber resilience (full-spectrum security, externally audited, on par with top international standards).
Business Benefits
- Customer Trust & Credibility
- Risk Reduction
- Cost-Effective Compliance
- Stepping Stone to Advanced Standards
- Marketing & Insurance Benefits
SMB1001 vs Other Cyber Security Frameworks
SMB1001 is not created in isolation – it aligns with several well-known cybersecurity frameworks to ensure broad relevance and recognition:contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}. Here’s how it compares to a couple of popular standards:
ASD Essential Eight (Australia)
The ASD Essential Eight is a set of eight fundamental cyber mitigation strategies recommended by the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) for all organisations. These strategies include basics like application whitelisting, patching, backups, and multi-factor authentication. SMB1001 incorporates and expands upon these core practices, In fact, the SMB1001 framework was crafted with the Essential Eight in mind, ensuring that a business meeting SMB1001 requirements is covering the Essential Eight measures as part of its journey.
The key difference is that SMB1001 provides a formal certification pathway with progressive levels and annual updates, whereas Essential Eight is a guideline without a certification. By pursuing SMB1001, Australian businesses inherently address the Essential Eight and get the added benefit of an official certification credential.
UK Cyber Essentials
Cyber Essentials is a UK government-backed certification focusing on five basic controls (firewalls, secure configuration, user access control, malware protection, and patch management) to secure organisations against common threats. SMB1001 covers similar ground – for example, requiring firewalls, anti-virus, multi-factor authentication, secure configuration, and regular updates as part of its Bronze and Silver levels. However, SMB1001 goes further by also emphasising people and process aspects (such as policies, training, incident response planning) especially at higher levels, and by offering multiple tiers of achievement. Another distinction is scope: Cyber Essentials is largely UK-centric, whereas SMB1001 is internationally applicable (with adoption in Australia/New Zealand and beyond). If your business is already familiar with or certified in Cyber Essentials, you’ll find SMB1001 builds on those fundamentals and elevates them. Conversely, an SMB1001-certified business will have met and exceeded the baseline controls of Cyber Essentials.
Other Frameworks (ISO 27001, NIST CSF, CMMC)
Importantly, SMB1001 was designed to map to international best practices. It aligns with the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and even the U.S. Department of Defense’s CMMC requirements. This means the controls you implement for SMB1001 are relevant globally.
Many organisations view SMB1001 as a stepping stone toward rigorous standards like ISO/IEC 27001. By progressing through SMB1001’s levels, you will have gradually built much of the foundation that ISO 27001 or similar frameworks require, making future compliance projects easier. In summary, SMB1001 brings the essence of big frameworks to the SMB scale – giving you recognized security assurance without over-engineering.
How it Works
How CyberGrape Supports Your SMB1001 Certification Journey
Embarking on the SMB1001 compliance journey can be daunting, but CyberGrape’s expert team makes it straightforward and stress-free.
We provide comprehensive consulting and technical services to guide you from initial readiness to final certification. Our approach covers every facet of SMB1001:
We begin with a thorough review of your current IT security setup relative to SMB1001 requirements. This gap analysis identifies which controls you already have in place and what’s missing, and helps determine the most suitable starting level (Bronze, Silver, or higher) for your certification
Next, our consultants develop a tailored action plan to address any gaps. You’ll receive clear, prioritised recommendations – for example, enabling multi-factor authentication on key systems, formalising an incident response plan, tightening user access controls, or installing/upgrading security software – all mapped to the SMB1001 control framework.
CyberGrape’s technical specialists can implement the required cyber security measures for you, or work alongside your in-house IT team. Whether it’s configuring firewalls and anti-virus across all devices, setting up automated patch management, securing your backups, or deploying a password manager, we ensure the necessary technical controls are properly in place and documented. We also help with practical measures like securing administrative privileges, enforcing strong password policies, and any other technical requirements of the standard.
Many SMB1001 controls involve processes and people. We assist in developing essential documentation and policies – such as a cybersecurity policy, asset register, incident response plan, and user onboarding/offboarding procedures – aligned with the standard’s expectations. Additionally, we provide staff training and awareness programmes so your team understands cyber security best practices. From running cybersecurity awareness training sessions to establishing phishing simulation exercises, we help cultivate a security-conscious culture to meet SMB1001’s “people” control requirements.
Before the official certification audit, we conduct an internal review (a “mock audit”) to verify that all SMB1001 controls are satisfactorily met. As an authorised CyberCert partner, CyberGrape knows exactly what auditors will look for. We will check evidence, fine-tune any weak areas, and ensure management is ready to attest to the controls in place (a requirement at Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels. This step gives you confidence that you’re fully prepared for the real assessment.
Finally, when you are ready, CyberGrape will arrange for the official SMB1001 certification audit. Uniquely, because we are a CyberCert Certification Partner, our team can serve as your auditor for the certification (up to the level we’re authorised for) or coordinate seamlessly with CyberCert and independent auditors for the top tiers. We handle the paperwork and evidence submission on your behalf. The result: your business earns the SMB1001 certification at the target level, and you receive your certificate and SMB1001 badge from CyberCert to display proudly.
Throughout this journey, our consultants remain by your side, acting as both advisors and hands-on implementers. We aim to minimise disruption to your business operations while ensuring you meet every SMB1001 requirement efficiently. In short, CyberGrape provides a one-stop solution to go from “not sure where we stand” to “certified secure” in a clear, managed process
Contact us today for a free consultation and take the first step toward becoming SMB1001 certified. Let’s build your cyber resilience together and give your business the security recognition it deserves.
Ready to Get SMB1001 Certified?
Don’t leave your business’s cyber security to chance. Achieving SMB1001 certification is a smart investment in your company’s future – protecting your assets, reassuring your customers, and staying ahead of emerging threats. CyberGrape is here to help you make it happen.
Why Choose CyberGrape as Your Certification Partner?
CyberGrape isn’t just another IT security provider – we are uniquely positioned to deliver maximum value for your SMB1001 certification project. Here’s why businesses across NZ and Australia partner with us:
- Official CyberCert Partner: CyberGrape is a registered CyberCert Certification Partner, authorised to certify clients for SMB1001 compliance. This official status means we are trusted by the very organisation behind SMB1001 to uphold its standards. Working with an authorised partner streamlines your path to certification and lends credibility – we understand the fine details of the SMB1001 program and get direct support from CyberCert as needed.
- End-to-End Service (Consulting + Technical): Unlike firms that only consult or only audit, CyberGrape handles all aspects of compliance. Our team combines policy experts, cyber consultants, and technical engineers. We don’t just tell you what to do – we can help you do it. From drafting a missing policy to configuring your Azure AD for MFA, we have the expertise to implement every control. This holistic approach saves you from juggling multiple vendors and ensures nothing falls through the cracks on your way to SMB1001 compliance.
- Experience with SMB-Focused Security: We specialise in cyber security for small and medium businesses. Our experts have decades of combined experience securing organisations of your size, and many hold international certifications (CISSP, CISM, ISO 27001 Lead Auditor, etc.). We understand the resource constraints and common vulnerabilities of SMBs, and we leverage the SMB1001 framework to create practical, effective security improvements that make sense for your business environment.
- Local Insight, Global Best Practice: Based in New Zealand with operations in Australia, CyberGrape understands the local business context and threat landscape. We’re familiar with regional considerations – whether it’s NZ Privacy Act obligations or Australia’s Notifiable Data Breaches scheme – and we incorporate those into your security program. At the same time, our knowledge of global standards (like Essential Eight, NIST, and ISO27001) means we can align your SMB1001 efforts with international best practices:contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}. You get the best of both worlds: local expertise and world-class standards.
- Proven Process & Active Engagements: CyberGrape may be among the first in the region to drive SMB1001 certifications, and we are already actively guiding businesses through the process of becoming certified. While we don’t have public case studies to share just yet (due to client confidentiality in these early projects), our hands-on experience with real clients means we know how to deliver results. The companies we’ve assisted are on track to achieve their SMB1001 certificates, validating our methodology. When you work with us, you leverage a refined approach that’s currently helping organisations like yours attain compliance.
- Ongoing Support & Recertification: Cyber security isn’t a one-time effort, and neither is SMB1001. Certifications need annual renewal and continuous improvement. After you get certified, CyberGrape remains available for ongoing support. We can conduct yearly health-checks to ensure you remain compliant with the latest SMB1001 updates (remember, the standard evolves every year), assist with scaling up to higher levels when you’re ready, and provide rapid advice if any security incidents occur. With CyberGrape as a long-term partner, you’ll not only achieve SMB1001 certification but also maintain and build upon it year after year.
