{"id":2661,"date":"2025-11-12T12:11:24","date_gmt":"2025-11-12T12:11:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/amtivo.com\/uk\/standards\/uncategorized\/untagged\/how-the-minimum-cyber-security-standard-affects-tender-bids\/"},"modified":"2025-12-15T16:18:22","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T16:18:22","slug":"how-the-minimum-cyber-security-standard-affects-tender-bids","status":"publish","type":"standard-post-filter","link":"https:\/\/amtivo.com\/uk\/standards\/cyber-essentials\/insights\/how-the-minimum-cyber-security-standard-affects-tender-bids\/","title":{"rendered":"How the Cyber Security Standard Affects Government Tender Bids"},"content":{"rendered":"

From April 2024, any organisation bidding for UK local or central government contracts must meet the UK Cyber Security Standard, a mandatory baseline of risk management, network and device security, access controls, monitoring and response, and staff training, and prove compliance by holding a current Cyber Essentials<\/a> certificate.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

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What Is the Cyber Security Standard?<\/h2>\r\n

Developed by the UK Government in collaboration with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC)<\/a>, the Cyber Security Standard is the latest effort to combat the risks posed by poor cyber security. It imposes certain requirements on Government departments, as well as suppliers, agencies, and contractors.<\/p>\r\n

In saying this, while the Cyber Security Standard defines a baseline level of cyber security, the guidance also encourages all parties to exceed these minimum standards wherever possible. It further notes that the requirements will be strengthened over time.<\/p>\r\n

Unsurprisingly, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has its own tightly scoped requirements regarding Cyber Essentials.<\/p>\r\n

In addition to Cyber Essentials, MOD contracts are governed by the Ministry of Defence\u2019s Cyber Security Model (CSM)<\/a>, currently version 3, with version 4 being introduced. The CSM sets cyber security requirements based on a contract\u2019s risk profile. Cyber Essentials is a baseline, but higher-risk contracts require additional measures.<\/p>\r\n

If you\u2019re bidding on defence contracts, have a look at our MOD Cyber Essentials Requirements Guide<\/a> to help you to tick all the right boxes.<\/p>\r\n

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What Does the Cyber Security Standard Require?<\/h2>\r\n

The Cyber Security Standard is structured around similar core principles as the previous Minimum Cyber Security Standard (MCSS), such as governance, asset management, access control, vulnerability management, detection, response, and recovery.<\/p>\r\n

Replacing the older framework, the Standard now requires compliance with the Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF)<\/a> for critical systems \u2013 a broader, outcome-focused approach focusing on what must be achieved rather than prescribing how. It expects organisations to demonstrate how they meet each outcome. The CAF is now the required framework for government suppliers and departments.<\/p>\r\n

\"Cyber<\/p>\r\n

The Standard is supported by the GovAssure<\/a> process, introduced in April 2023, which requires independent assurance against CAF outcomes for critical systems.<\/p>\r\n

The key requirements for businesses are as follows:<\/p>\r\n

1. Comply with government security policies<\/h3>\r\n

Follow all relevant cross-government security policies published on GOV.UK<\/a> and the Government Security pages.<\/p>\r\n

2. Meet or exceed the Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF) outcomes<\/h3>\r\n

For systems critical to your contract or service, you must meet (or exceed) the security outcomes specified in the CAF, using the appropriate government CAF profile. The CAF covers four key objectives:<\/p>\r\n