Newport-based accountancy and tax expert Kilsby Williams has secured Cyber Essentials Plus status as it looks to stay ahead of the curve on the important issue of cyber security.

The decision to pursue the maximum Cyber Essentials compliance level has come from the increased awareness of the ever-growing threat levels within the accountancy sector, with the successful cyber-attack on HM Revenue and Customs highlighting the importance of meticulous cyber security.

Cyber Essentials is a government backed scheme designed to ensure that companies are best placed to protect their customers’ data and prepared for the threats of the digital age, such as cyber-attacks.

The scheme, which was implemented in 2014, offers two different levels of certification; Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus, and given the level of customer data that Kilsby Williams regularly handles, they chose to make a significant investment into a programme to achieve Cyber Essentials Plus status.

Kilby Williams’ cyber security audit has seen them develop new data management systems and security protocols on their way to obtaining this high-level certification.

On the company’s commitment to cyber security, Simon Tee, managing partner at Kilsby Williams, said: “This is a significant moment in future proofing for Kilsby Williams. It isn’t enough to pay lip service to data protection and cyber security, businesses need to be doing all that they can to ensure that their clients’ data and their peace of mind are safe.

“Our new measures mean that we are ready to guarantee security to all its customers as the importance of digital technology continues to grow.”