A British-based cybersecurity firm, helping small to medium-sized business protect their data, is set to expand its operations into Bermuda.

Cyber Tec Security, which also operates from Jersey, is officially recognised in Britain by the National Cyber Security Centre and its accreditation partner IASME, to help businesses become certified in cybersecurity standards.

In Bermuda it would help towards requirements under Pipa regulations, which come into effect on January 1.

Mike Ralston, Cyber Tec’s chief executive, said: “Certification demonstrates that an organisation is protecting itself by implementing the most important cybersecurity controls.”

He is working with the Bermuda Business Development Agency to establish his business on the island and will offer cyber certifications under the IASME scheme.

Cyber Tec is one of more than 300 specially trained certification bodies licensed by IASME to offer different cybersecurity schemes and certificates.

The ones relevant to Bermuda are Cyber Assurance and Cyber Baseline, both of which are used with regard to Pipa.

“We are one of IASME's certifying bodies. We became one after rigorous verification of our qualifications and relevant experience. We are the third largest in the UK,” said Mr Ralston, whose firm has been operating for five years.

“By obtaining the certificate, the SME will reduce on average the likelihood of an attack by 92 per cent,” he added.

Bermuda’s Privacy Commissioner, Alexander White, said: “Under the IASME system, an organisation such as Cyber Tec Security is licensed to be a certification body and can use local assessors to evaluate organisations and provide a third-party certification.

“To my knowledge, Cyber Tec Security is the first IASME certification body operating in Bermuda, but others may choose to establish themselves here.”

It comes as a joint select committee is investigating a cyber-attack last year that crippled government services.

Its chairman, Lawrence Scott, a PLP MP, toldThe Royal Gazette that as well as the Government, the JSC would also examine security in institutions across the island.