Cyber Essentials: Ready or At Risk? – Another Successful AMP Cyber Security Event
Businesses Across Lancashire Come Together to Strengthen Their Cyber Security
This week we were delighted to host our latest cyber security event, Cyber Essentials: Ready or At Risk?, bringing together Lancashire accountants, finance managers and solicitors from across the region for an afternoon dedicated to improving cyber resilience.
Our third business cyber security event proved to be another fantastic success, with delegates joining us for lunch before taking part in a series of engaging sessions focused on Cyber Essentials and the ever-changing cyber threat landscape.
Great Food, Great Company and Even Better Conversations
The afternoon began with a superb two-course lunch at Milano’s Restaurant at Mill Farm, providing attendees with an opportunity to network with fellow business leaders before the presentations began.
We’re incredibly grateful to the team at Mill Farm for looking after everyone so well and helping make the event such an enjoyable experience.
Cyber Essentials Is More Than Just a Certificate
The main sessions were delivered by Adam Purnell and James Smith from AMP InfoSys, who explored why Cyber Essentials should never be treated as a once-a-year compliance exercise.
Instead, attendees learned why Cyber Essentials provides the foundation for a secure business and how its five key technical controls work together to significantly reduce cyber risk when implemented correctly.
Since important changes to the Cyber Essentials requirements came into effect in April 2026, we also explained what those changes mean in practice and how organisations should prepare.
Rather than relying on technical jargon, we used simple real-world analogies to explain each of the five controls, making the guidance accessible for both technical and non-technical audiences.
One of the most eye-opening parts of the afternoon demonstrated how cyber criminals can gain access to Microsoft 365 accounts when businesses unknowingly leave the door open. The demonstrations highlighted why simply “having security” isn’t enough—security must be implemented correctly, monitored continuously and supported by good business processes.
Every attendee left with practical guidance, including:
- An easy-to-follow explanation of the five Cyber Essentials controls
- A 10-question Cyber Essentials readiness checklist
- Clear actions they can take immediately to improve their cyber security
- Advice on preparing for both first-time Cyber Essentials certification and renewals
Cyber Insurance Matters Too
We were also delighted to welcome John Isles ACII from Rowlands & Hames Insurance Brokers & Independent Financial Planners as our guest speaker.
John shared valuable insights into today’s cyber insurance landscape, helping businesses understand why insurers increasingly expect organisations to demonstrate good cyber security practices before providing cover.
His presentation reinforced the close relationship between effective cyber security and cyber insurance, providing delegates with practical advice they can take back into their own organisations.
Fantastic Feedback
We’re incredibly proud of the feedback received.
93% of attendees said they would definitely attend another AMP event, while the remaining 7% said they would return if the topic was relevant to their business.
Just as importantly, many attendees have already begun booking Cyber Essentials Readiness Checks, giving them an independent assessment of where they currently stand before starting or renewing their certification journey.
Some of the comments received included:
“Really interesting (and shocking). Definitely important that firms know this information.”
— Rawcliffe & Co
“Just to say thanks for yesterday – it was very informative and useful – appreciate the invite. Great meal and venue too.”
— Mandi, RfM
Thank You
A huge thank you to everyone who attended, to John Isles for sharing his expertise, and to the fantastic team at Mill Farm for helping make the day such a success.
It was wonderful to welcome both existing clients and many new faces from the wider business community.
These events are part of our ongoing commitment to helping organisations understand cyber security in plain English and make informed decisions that genuinely reduce risk – not simply tick a compliance box once a year.
If you couldn’t attend but would like to understand your organisation’s current Cyber Essentials readiness, we’d be delighted to help. Here’s how:
- We’re going to do a repeat of this event content in September 2026 (Date & Venue TBC). Watch this space if you missed it!
- Alternatively, book a Cyber Essentials Readiness Check with AMP InfoSys and gain a clear, transparent picture of your current cyber security posture before beginning or renewing your certification.
