Strengthen Your Cyber Security with SMB1001 – Build Trust with Customers and Stakeholders
SMB1001 is a tiered cybersecurity certification framework created specifically for small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs). It helps organisations improve their cyber resilience without the high cost or complexity of enterprise-grade standards such as ISO 27001.
Developed by Dynamic Standards International (DSI) and CyberCert, the SMB1001 programme offers a clear, practical pathway to stronger security. With five progressive certification levels, it enables businesses to demonstrate a robust and credible security posture to clients, partners, and vendors.
Acronym IT is proud to have achieved the prestigious SMB1001 Gold Level certification—a recognition of our commitment to excellence in cybersecurity and the protection of our customers’ data.
As a Gold Level provider, Acronym IT is now formally authorised to assess and assign CyberCert certifications to New Zealand businesses, helping organisations nationwide strengthen their security and build greater trust.
Why your business should look at Cybercert Certification
1.0 Tailored for SMBs
Cost-effective and scalable: Designed specifically for small and medium-sized businesses with limited budgets and resources—simpler and less pricey than enterprise solutions like ISO 27001.
Resource-sensitive design: Streamlined requirements avoid overburdening SMB operations, addressing challenges like limited staff and budget.
2.0 Enhanced Cyber Resilience
Structured maturity pathway: A five-tier progression (Bronze → Diamond) enables step-by-step improvements in security posture.
Comprehensive coverage: Controls span key domains such as technology, access management, data backup, policies, and staff training.
3.0 Competitive & Compliance Advantage
Third-party trust: Certification provides visible proof of cybersecurity maturity, aiding vendor approvals, client trust, and insurance processes.
Regulatory alignment: Helps meet data protection laws (e.g., Australian Privacy Act) and aligns with international standards like Essential Eight, UK Cyber Essentials, and CMMC
4.0 Insurance & Financial Benefits
Insurance leverage: Certified status may reduce cyber insurance premiums and streamline underwriting.
Cost reduction: Preventing breaches through structured controls avoids average incident costs (~ A$46,000 per SMB in Australia).
5.0 Agility & Assurance
Regular updates: Updated annually to stay current with emerging threats, including new technologies and third-party management.
Audit flexibility: Initial tiers can be self-assessed; higher tiers introduce external verification for stronger assurance.
6.0 Strategic Business Growth
Enables business opportunities: Serves as a gateway to enterprise markets, tenders, and large client contracts that require certification-proof security.
Supply-chain reliability: Demonstrates organizational resilience, making SMBs more attractive as compliant suppliers.
Summary of the different tiers
Built on SMB1001, the first international cyber standard purpose-built for small and mid-sized businesses, CyberCert provides a tiered, certifiable pathway:
Bronze → Foundational defences: firewalls, backups, patching, antivirus, basic staff training. (fundamentals every SMB needs).
Silver → Implementation of consistent security policies and broader coverage across operations. Insurable, with possible Cyber insurance discounts (proof for cyber insurance).
Gold → Enhanced security: monitoring, stricter access controls, proactive incident response. Compliant (supply chain + legal requirements)
Platinum →Entry of external audit processes to boost assurance and credibility and external audit certification.
Diamond → Advanced threat resilience and full external audit certification. Advanced assurance and ecosystem resilience.
Acronym Ltd can now deliver non-subjective and certifiable programs of work for SMB clients, aligned to insurer, government, and enterprise expectations. Business can use SMB1001 certification as proof — not promises — in supply chains, insurance renewals, and client trust.
Get in touch today to discuss how we can certify YOUR busisness and support your long-term security goals.
AT ACRONYM WE BELIEVE IN CREATING FREEDOM WITH TECHNOLOGY
Our Cyber Security team has years of experience in choosing the best security strategy for your business, be it a small office of large corporate. With an efficient, long-lasting cyber security plan in place, your business can gain the appropriate level of cybercert to give you that competitive edge
