A Proven Path to Implementing the UK Cyber Governance Code with IASME Cyber Assurance
Why Cyber Governance Matters Now More Than Ever
The recent statistics are eye-opening: 70% of medium businesses and 75% of large businesses in the UK have experienced a cyber breach in the past year. With digital risks continuing to mount, the UK government has introduced the Cyber Governance Code of Practice to guide boards and directors in their oversight of cyber risk.
But for many organisations, a burning question remains: "How do we actually implement this in practice?"
At Cool Waters Cyber, we've answered this question with our comprehensive guide: "Implementing the UK Cyber Governance Code with IASME Cyber Assurance: A Practical Roadmap." Today, we're sharing key insights from this report to help your organisation navigate the path to stronger cyber governance and providing a free download of the full report.
The Perfect Marriage: The Code and IASME Cyber Assurance
Our research reveals a powerful approach: using the IASME Cyber Assurance standard (formerly "IASME Governance") as your implementation framework for the Cyber Governance Code.
Why this approach works so effectively:
Comprehensive Coverage: IASME Cyber Assurance's thirteen control themes align perfectly with the Code's five principles, ensuring you address all requirements
Efficiency: You avoid duplicating efforts, as IASME integrates Cyber Essentials technical controls with governance frameworks
Practical Roadmap: IASME provides clear questions and templates that translate high-level principles into actionable steps
External Validation: Certification gives boards independent assurance that controls are effective
Supply Chain Ready: Many organisations now accept IASME as an alternative to ISO 27001 in procurement
The Five Principles and How IASME Delivers
The Cyber Governance Code focuses on five key areas. Here's how IASME Cyber Assurance helps you address each:
1. Risk Management
The Code requires boards to identify critical assets, assign ownership of cyber risks, define risk appetite, and ensure regular risk assessments.
IASME delivers through:
Asset identification requirements that force you to document what's truly important
A structured risk assessment process that aligns with board-level risk oversight
Supply chain security evaluations that address third-party risk
Regular reassessment requirements that keep your risk picture current
2. Strategy
The Code expects a formal cyber strategy aligned with business goals and supported by adequate resources.
IASME implements this via:
Security planning requirements that embed cyber into business planning
Clear definition of roles and responsibilities, ensuring structured governance
Resource allocation guidance for both technology and people
Monitoring requirements to track strategy effectiveness
3. People
The Code emphasizes culture, training, and policies that foster security-aware behaviour.
IASME's approach includes:
Comprehensive security awareness training requirements
Policy frameworks that establish clear expectations for staff
Board engagement requirements to demonstrate leadership commitment
Metrics to measure the effectiveness of awareness initiatives
4. Incident Planning, Response & Recovery
The Code requires robust incident response plans that are regularly tested and updated.
IASME delivers through:
Mandatory incident response planning and documentation
Testing requirements to validate plan effectiveness
Backup and recovery validation to ensure resilience
Post-incident review processes to drive continuous improvement
5. Assurance & Oversight
The Code calls for governance structures, regular reporting, and independent assurance.
IASME supports this with:
Governance structure requirements that clarify accountabilities
Regular monitoring and metrics reporting frameworks
Independent assessment through the certification process
Continuous compliance mechanisms through annual recertification
Our 9-Step Implementation Roadmap
We've distilled the implementation process into nine practical steps:
Secure Board Buy-In: Engage leadership and assign accountability
Baseline Assessment: Identify gaps against Cyber Assurance and the Code
Implement Quick Wins: Address high-priority technical controls
Develop Governance Documents: Create risk registers, policies, and plans
Roll Out Training: Build security awareness across the organisation
Test Incident Response: Validate plans through practical exercises
Pre-Certification Review: Ensure readiness for assessment
IASME Certification: Achieve independent validation
Continuous Oversight: Maintain and improve the framework
This roadmap typically takes 3-6 months to implement, depending on your organisation's starting point and resources.
Fast-Track Your Journey with Cool Waters Cyber
As Cornwall's first NCSC-assured Cyber Advisor provider, Cool Waters Cyber has helped numerous organisations achieve Cyber Essentials and IASME Cyber Assurance certification efficiently and effectively.
Our approach removes the complexity for you:
Expert Gap Analysis: We rapidly identify exactly what needs to be addressed
Hands-On Implementation Support: We don't just advise—we help implement the fixes
Jargon-Free Communication: We translate technical requirements into business language
Project Management: We drive the process forward, keeping everything on track
Guaranteed Certification: Our proven methodology ensures you pass the first time
Many of our clients have achieved certification in as little as 8-10 weeks with our support—far faster than tackling it alone.
Take Action Today
Don't let cyber governance remain a box-ticking exercise or an overwhelming challenge. With the right approach and support, you can transform it into a strategic advantage that protects your organisation and demonstrates your commitment to cyber resilience.
Download our comprehensive guide to explore the complete implementation roadmap in detail.
Ready to fast-track your journey to Cyber Governance Code compliance? Contact our team today for a no-obligation consultation and discover how we can help your organisation achieve certification within weeks, not months.
Cool Waters Cyber is an NCSC-assured Cyber Advisor provider and IASME Certification Body, specialising in helping organisations build practical cyber resilience through Cyber Essentials, IASME Cyber Assurance, and tailored cyber advisory services.