Admin By Request is Now Cyber Essentials Plus Certified

Demonstrating that cybersecurity defences are resilient and meet compliance regulations can't just be a compliance box-ticking exercise. Organisations need to demonstrate that the security solutions in place deliver resilience in the face of ever-changing threats.

That's why Admin By Request's achievement of the UK NCSC Cyber Essentials Plus certification is significant. More than a meaningless paper qualification, it's an independent validation that their Endpoint Privileged Management (EPM) solution delivers security controls capable of withstanding real-world attacks. For organisations across Ireland and beyond, the certification demonstrates that Admin By Request EPM has the technology and industry backing to help you deliver the security controls you need to demonstrate compliance, as well as to provide robust account security. This is especially important for MSPs seeking to assist their clients in complying with the requirements of recent regulations, such as DORA and NIS2, For organisations in Ireland, these EU regulations require robust privileged access controls that Admin By Request delivers alongside its UK certification.

In a threat environment where privileged access accounts are a primary target for attack, the question isn't whether to implement enhanced endpoint authentication like EPM, but how to do so effectively. MSPs need a solution that carries independent certification and proven EPM effectiveness. Admin By Request delivers both as it provides Endpoint Privileged Management with passwordless access – a new approach to Privileged Access Management.”

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If you're an MSP looking to strengthen your security service portfolio and deliver proven solutions to Irish clients, take a look at the Admin By Request solutions. Their combination of robust EPM, cloud-based delivery, and Cyber Essentials Plus certification adds up to a powerful offering that addresses real-world MSP needs. Admin by Request write about the certification on their blog.

Contact Renaissance to discover how Admin By Request can differentiate your services, protect your clients, and position you as a trusted security advisor via the Admin By Request Reseller programme. The Renaissance team can arrange demonstrations, discuss pricing models, and share Admin By Request's implementation best practices developed over multiple successful deployments.

What Cyber Essentials Plus Means in Practice

The UK's NCSC developed Cyber Essentials as a practical, government-backed scheme to help organisations defend against the most common cyber threats. The Plus version requires independent technical verification of an organisation's security controls through hands-on testing. Assessors probe security solutions, examine configurations, and validate that security measures actually work as claimed.

Admin By Request passed this rigorous assessment, demonstrating that its infrastructure and practices meet the required five fundamental technical controls: secure configuration, boundary firewalls and internet gateways, access control, malware protection, and patch management. This independent verification is important because it demonstrates the solution's security posture through rigorous testing, rather than relying solely on documentation.

Cybercriminals constantly develop new attack techniques, regulators impose stricter requirements, and MSP clients are facing mounting pressure to demonstrate their security response measures. MSPs who position themselves as strategic security partners rather than reactive support providers will capture greater market share and build stronger client relationships.

Privileged access management represents a foundational security control that supports this strategic positioning. It addresses a documented vulnerability, satisfies compliance requirements, and provides measurable risk reduction. Admin By Request's Cyber Essentials Plus certification adds independent validation to these benefits, creating a compelling value proposition.

The Reality of Privileged Access Threats

Attack analysis consistently demonstrates that compromised accounts with privileged access ranks among the top attack vectors. Verizon's Data Breach Investigations Report repeatedly highlights compromised admin credentials and privilege misuse as leading causes of breaches. Attackers understand that gaining administrative access provides the keys to the kingdom. Giving them the ability to turn off security tools, exfiltrate data, deploy ransomware, and move laterally across networks.

Traditional approaches to this problem often create friction. Completely removing admin rights often hampers productivity, while granting permanent admin access exposes organisations to unnecessary risk. Admin By Request's model resolves this tension by making privilege temporary, auditable, and controllable.

Why This Matters for MSPs and Their Clients

For MSPs, Admin By Request creates a compelling advantage. Providers face constant pressure to deliver robust security whilst managing multiple client environments efficiently. Privileged access management presents a particular challenge, as systems administrators need elevated permissions to maintain systems, yet these same privileges create significant security risks when compromised.

Admin By Request elegantly solves this dilemma. The solution enables MSPs to remove standing administrative rights from endpoints whilst still allowing users to perform necessary tasks. When someone needs to install software or modify system settings, they request a temporary rights elevation. The request goes through approval workflows, creates an audit trail, and grants time-limited administrative access. Once the task completes, the EPM solution automatically revokes the elevated privileges.

This approach delivers multiple benefits for MSPs and their clients:

Reduced Attack Surface - Removing permanent admin rights eliminates a primary vector that attackers use. Ransomware and malware typically require administrative privileges to execute successfully. Without this access, these threats cannot gain the foothold they need.

Compliance Simplification - Many regulatory frameworks and cyber insurance policies now require the implementation of privileged access controls. Cyber Essentials Plus certification provides documented evidence that Admin By Request meets stringent security standards, simplifying compliance demonstrations for clients when bidding for or renewing service contracts.

Operational Efficiency - Rather than managing complex group policies or fielding constant elevation requests, MSPs can implement automated workflows that strike a balance between security and productivity. Users get the access they need when they need it, without compromising their security posture by granting them permanent admin rights on endpoint devices.

Enhanced Visibility - Every privilege elevation creates a detailed audit log. MSPs get full visibility into who requested access, when it occurred, and what they did with it. This logging is invaluable during security investigations and compliance audits.

Client trust is the foundation of lasting relationships between MSPs and clients. When you recommend solutions, your reputation is at stake alongside these recommendations. Cyber Essentials Plus certification provides independent validation that strengthens your position. You're not simply claiming a solution is secure, but offering one that external assessors have verified through technical testing.

This distinction is becoming increasingly important as clients become more sophisticated in their understanding of cybersecurity. Board members now ask complex questions. Cyber insurance underwriters demand evidence of controls. Regulators expect demonstrable security measures. Certification addresses these demands with objective proof, before you even deploy the EPM solution.

Supporting DORA and NIS2 Compliance in Ireland

For MSPs serving Irish and EU clients, DORA and NIS2 introduce stringent requirements for privileged access management. Admin By Request directly addresses these compliance mandates.

DORA Article 5 requires "access control measures to limit access to critical ICT systems." Admin By Request achieves this through least privilege enforcement and temporary elevation of privileges only when necessary. The solution's detailed audit trails satisfy the requirement that "entities shall maintain records of access and activity for review by competent authorities."

NIS2 Article 21 mandates controls that "restrict access to systems and data to authorised users only." Admin By Request's approval workflows and time-limited access grants ensure strict control over critical systems, whilst comprehensive logging supports Article 23's requirements for detecting and resolving cybersecurity incidents.

For Irish MSPs, this creates compelling value. The combination of Cyber Essentials Plus certification for UK public sector work and DORA/NIS2 support positions you to serve clients across multiple jurisdictions with a single platform.

Admin By Request Implementation

Admin By Request's cloud-based architecture aligns perfectly with modern MSP service delivery models. The solution deploys quickly across client environments without requiring complex infrastructure. MSPs can manage multiple client tenants from a unified console, applying consistent security policies that also accommodate client-specific variations. 

The platform integrates with existing identity providers and security tools, fitting naturally into established technology stacks. This compatibility reduces implementation friction and accelerates time to value. Clients experience immediate security improvements without disruptions to their operations.

Whether you're helping clients meet Cyber Essentials requirements or supporting organisations with DORA and NIS2 compliance, the Renaissance team can arrange demonstrations, discuss pricing models, and share implementation best practices developed over multiple successful deployments. Contact us today to begin the conversation.