Cyber Essentials vs ISO 27001 vs EASA Part-IS: What’s the Difference?

Are you an aviation SME trying to make sense of the alphabet soup of cybersecurity standards and regulations? ISO 27001, Cyber Essentials, and now EASA Part-IS – it’s easy to feel confused, wondering if they’re all the same, or if you need to tackle each one individually. I’ve often seen businesses waste time and resources trying to figure out where to start.

This article is here to clear up that confusion. We’ll break down each of these critical frameworks, explaining their purpose, scope, and what they entail. Most importantly, we’ll provide a side-by-side comparison to highlight their key differences and show you how they can complement each other, rather than acting as separate, overwhelming hurdles. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of which frameworks apply to your organisation and how to leverage them strategically for robust information security and compliance. This comparison is for any aviation professional seeking clarity on their cybersecurity obligations.

Why Compare EASA Part-IS, ISO 27001, and Cyber Essentials?

In the current landscape, cybersecurity is no longer optional for any business, especially not in the safety-critical aviation sector. As an aviation SME, you are likely encountering requirements or recommendations related to information security from various sources – your clients, your insurers, and now, regulators like EASA.

These three frameworks – Cyber Essentials, ISO 27001, and EASA Part-IS – are often discussed in the same breath, leading to understandable confusion. Are they competing standards? Can one replace the other? Understanding their individual strengths and how they intersect is vital for making informed decisions about your cybersecurity strategy and ensuring efficient compliance.

What is Cyber Essentials? (UK’s Basic Cybersecurity Scheme)

Cyber Essentials is a UK government-backed scheme designed to help organisations protect themselves against a wide range of the most common cyber threats. It’s an entry-level certification that focuses on five basic, but essential, technical controls:

1. Firewalls: Securing your internet connection.
2. Secure Configuration: Ensuring systems are set up in the most secure way.
3. User Access Control: Managing who has access to your systems and data.
4. Malware Protection: Protecting against viruses and other malicious software.
5. Patch Management: Keeping your devices and software up to date.

The scheme offers two levels:

• Cyber Essentials: A self-assessment, verified by an independent certification body.
• Cyber Essentials Plus: A hands-on technical verification conducted by an external auditor.

It’s widely recognised in the UK as a good baseline of cybersecurity hygiene and is often a requirement for government contracts and some supply chains. It’s a fantastic starting point for any SME looking to demonstrate a foundational level of security.

What is ISO 27001? (Global Information Security Standard)

ISO/IEC 27001 is an international standard that provides a framework for an Information Security Management System (ISMS). Unlike Cyber Essentials, which focuses on specific technical controls, ISO 27001 provides a holistic, risk-based approach to managing information security. It covers people, processes, and technology.

Achieving ISO 27001 certification means an independent auditor has verified that your organisation has:

• Identified information security risks.
• Selected and implemented appropriate controls to manage those risks.
• Established a system to continually review and improve your information security.

It’s known for its comprehensive nature, requiring a significant commitment to implement and maintain. It’s globally recognised and demonstrates a very high level of commitment to information security, fostering trust with international partners and clients.

What is EASA Part-IS? (Aviation’s Information Security Regulation)

EASA Part-IS (Information Security) is a mandatory regulation introduced by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency. Its primary purpose is to protect the information and communication technology (ICT) systems and information that could impact aviation safety. Unlike Cyber Essentials or ISO 27001, which are voluntary certifications (though often contractually required), Part-IS is a legally binding regulatory requirement for in-scope aviation organisations.

Part-IS mandates that these organisations establish, implement, maintain, and continually improve an ISMS tailored to the specific risks within the aviation domain. It focuses on ensuring that cybersecurity is managed as a safety concern, preventing cyber incidents from affecting flight operations, air traffic management, or other critical safety-related functions. For a more detailed overview of what EASA Part-IS entails, you might find our article What Is EASA Part-IS — And Why It’s a Game-Changer for Aviation SMEs (Overview) helpful.

Cyber Essentials vs ISO 27001 vs EASA Part-IS: Key Differences

Let’s break down the core distinctions between these three frameworks:

Feature	Cyber Essentials	ISO 27001	EASA Part-IS
Type	Certification Scheme (UK-specific)	International Standard for ISMS (Certification)	Mandatory Aviation Regulation (EU)
Primary Focus	Basic technical controls to prevent common cyberattacks	Comprehensive ISMS framework (people, process, tech)	Protecting aviation safety-related ICT systems
Scope	Foundational cybersecurity hygiene	Organisation-wide information security management	ICT systems impacting aviation safety
Compliance/Status	Voluntary (but often contractually required)	Voluntary (but widely recognised certification)	Mandatory for in-scope aviation organisations
Approach	Prescriptive (5 controls)	Risk-based, holistic	Risk-based, sector-specific, regulatory compliance
Audit/Assessment	Self-assessment / Technical verification (Plus)	Formal external audit	Regulatory oversight, audits by competent authorities

Which Does Your Organisation Need?

Understanding the differences is key to determining your path:

• If you are an aviation organisation whose ICT systems could impact safety, you must comply with EASA Part-IS. This is not a choice; it’s a regulatory obligation if you fall within scope.
• Cyber Essentials is an excellent first step for any UK business, including aviation SMEs. It provides a solid baseline of security, helps protect against the most common threats, and is a relatively quick and cost-effective way to demonstrate a commitment to cybersecurity. It can meet some of the technical control requirements of Part-IS.
• ISO 27001 is a strong choice if you seek a globally recognised, comprehensive ISMS that covers all aspects of information security, not just those impacting aviation safety. While not mandatory for Part-IS, an ISO 27001-certified ISMS will likely meet many of the ISMS requirements of Part-IS and can simplify demonstrating compliance.

Many organisations find that pursuing Cyber Essentials first, then building towards ISO 27001, provides a robust security foundation that significantly aids in achieving Part-IS compliance. If you’re ready to start building an ISMS, our guide How to Build an ISMS for EASA Part-IS Compliance (Without Overkill) offers practical, step-by-step advice.

Leveraging ISO 27001 and Cyber Essentials to Meet Part-IS Requirements

The good news is that you don’t have to treat these three frameworks as completely separate endeavours. There’s significant overlap, and achieving one can lay the groundwork for another.

• Cyber Essentials as a Baseline: The five technical controls of Cyber Essentials provide a solid foundation for many of the basic technical requirements within a Part-IS ISMS. If you have Cyber Essentials in place, you’re already addressing some of the core security hygiene elements that Part-IS expects.
• ISO 27001 as a Framework: An ISO 27001 ISMS provides the organisational structure, policies, and risk management processes that are highly compatible with, and often exceed, the ISMS requirements of EASA Part-IS. If you have an ISO 27001 ISMS, adapting it to meet the specific aviation safety focus of Part-IS will be a much smoother process than starting from scratch.

Think of it as building blocks: Cyber Essentials gets your fundamental hygiene in order, ISO 27001 gives you a comprehensive information security management system, and then Part-IS tailors that ISMS to the unique, safety-critical needs of the aviation sector. By understanding their interplay, you can create an efficient, integrated approach to cybersecurity and compliance.