Research IT

Cyber Essentials Scheme

IT Services has renewed the University's Cyber Essentials compliance. The current certification lasts until February 2020, and will be assessed/renewed on an annual basis.

Cyber Essentials is a Government-backed, industry-supported scheme to help ensure organisations are protected against common online threats.


From 1 October 2014, the Government required all suppliers bidding for contracts involving the handling of certain sensitive and personal information to be certified against the Cyber Essentials scheme.

The accreditation is important to the University, because in 2018 this certification was mandated for all Government contracts, including research and other services provided by the University.

The scope of the current certification is the University of Manchester IT network and infrastructure managed and maintained by IT Services. Systems unmanaged by IT Services, such as home PCs, are out of scope.

A Certificate of Assurance is available to download from StaffNet, should staff or students need to refer to it.

If you have any questions about the Cyber Essentials certification please contact IT Services.