At LeisureLabs, we’re committed to building not just great technology, but secure technology. As our industry becomes more digitally connected, cybersecurity is no longer a “nice to have”, it’s essential. That’s why we’ve taken a major step by working towards our Cyber Essentials certification through the National Cyber Security Centre. (NCSC)
So, what does that actually involve? We sat down with our Technical Lead, Oleksandr Romakh, to talk through the process, why it matters, and what it means for our clients.
What is Cyber Essentials?
Cyber Essentials is a UK government-backed scheme designed to help organisations protect themselves from a wide range of common cyber threats. It focuses on five key areas:
- Secure configuration of devices and software
- Access control and permissions
- Timely patch management and updates
- Malware protection
- Secure internet connections and firewalls
It’s a well-structured, practical framework that reduces risk and helps organisations take meaningful action to safeguard their systems.
What Are We Doing?
Since July, we’ve been working steadily towards meeting the Cyber Essentials requirements. We’re currently about 60% through the process. It involves a thorough audit of our infrastructure, a review of our policies, and a set of clearly defined security actions that must be applied across the business.
“One of the biggest challenges,” Oleks explains, “is understanding the full scope of what’s required and then applying it consistently across a remote team working from different locations, using multiple different devices.”
The goal is not just to tick a box, but to build a resilient digital foundation that protects our team, our clients, and their data.
Why Does This Matter?
Cybersecurity threats are growing in both frequency and complexity. Cyber Essentials provides protection against around 80% of common cyber attacks. It’s also increasingly recognised by clients, partners, and regulators as a baseline security standard.
“We want to show our clients that we take their data seriously,” says Oleks. “And we want to push to achieve the highest level of accreditation.”
“Therefore, once we complete the basic level of certification, we’ll begin working towards Cyber Essentials Plus, which involves an external audit and more advanced controls. This is where we feel we need to be in order to best support our clients.”
What Does This Mean for Our Clients?
For clients, our pursuit of Cyber Essentials certification signals a deeper level of commitment to safeguarding their data and digital operations. It means that every interaction with LeisureLabs is backed by clear, industry-recognised security protocols. From the sharing of member information to payment integrations, the systems we develop and manage are being held to a higher standard.
It also reflects a reduced likelihood of service disruption due to common cyber threats. When our internal infrastructure is more secure, our clients benefit from increased continuity, stability, and trust.
More importantly, it provides reassurance that their digital partner is not only aware of today’s threat landscape but actively working to stay ahead of it. Security isn’t just a feature we add on — it’s something we build into everything we do.
What Have We Learned So Far?
This journey has validated many of our existing practices but has also highlighted areas for improvement. More importantly, it’s reinforced that cybersecurity is not a one-off project. It’s a continuous effort, involving the whole company.
“Security is not something you achieve once and forget about,” Oleks notes. “It’s a culture, and it has to evolve as the threats evolve.”
What’s Next?
As we move closer to completing our certification, we’ll continue to share what we learn. Our aim is to help demystify cybersecurity for the fitness and wellness industry and support our clients in navigating it with confidence. Because the more we raise the standard together, the stronger our entire industry becomes.
And last but not least….What is the one piece of advice you would give when it comes to Cybersecurity? “Always follow established standards and best practices. Cybersecurity isn’t just the responsibility of the IT team—it’s everyone’s responsibility.”
Want to know more about our Cyber Essentials journey or how we can support your security goals? Get in touch.
