Supporting a Client’s Cyber Essentials Journey as a Virtual Assistant
When one of my consultancy clients asked for help preparing for Cyber Essentials readiness, I’ll admit I wasn’t immediately excited. The process sounded (and was) long, technical, and quite dry. But what surprised me was just how valuable the outcomes were - not just for their cybersecurity posture, but for their internal clarity and confidence as a remote-first team.
Cyber Essentials, for those unfamiliar, is a UK government-backed scheme that helps organisations protect themselves against common cyber threats. Although my client wasn’t seeking formal certification right away, they wanted to meet the standards internally, to build resilience, meet partner expectations, and reduce risk.
My role as their virtual assistant?
To gather and audit data across their associate team, surface any gaps, and design a regular check-in system that would keep them aligned with best practices moving forward.
It started with a lot of spreadsheets, questions, and untangling systems - who had access to what? Which devices were in use? Were software firewalls active? Did anyone still have access who shouldn't? What started as a technical checklist turned into a broader process of digital housekeeping.
Cyber Essentials certification support
Here’s what we implemented as a result:
A structured cybersecurity check-in form, aligned with Cyber Essentials controls (firewall status, password hygiene, software updates, etc.)
Device unlock and authentication reviews, ensuring separation between personal and work access
A formal leaver checklist, so that access is removed promptly when someone exits the team
A clear, team-wide password policy document, tailored to the tools and systems they actually use
Bi-annual staff training and compliance reminders, linked to data protection responsibilities
A recurring internal review rhythm, designed to feel manageable rather than overwhelming, especially for a team of non-technical associates
It may not sound glamorous, but it’s been game-changing. My client now has confidence that their associates (who work across different countries and devices) are keeping things secure and aligned with UK data protection principles. And I’ve added another powerful string to my VA bow: cybersecurity and compliance support for lean, remote teams.
If you’re a VA supporting digital-first clients, don’t shy away from the ‘dry stuff’. Sometimes, that’s where you make the biggest difference.
Need a second brain for the operational stuff that keeps getting kicked down the road?
Whether it’s digital hygiene, systems setup or calm, structured support for remote teams — I’m here to help.
