Insights

Guidance on IT, cyber security and compliance.

Costs, requirements and decisions. Guides to planning your IT, preparing for certification and using software and AI at work.

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Free DCC and Cyber Essentials templates, guides and checklists: practical resources for your next assessment.

By Daniel McClure Fisher, Managing Director. CISSP, MCIIS.

Dead Simple Computing · Reading, Berkshire

The guide library

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All published guides, newest first.

Cyber security

DCC Level 1 scoping guide and free workbook

Define your Defence Cyber Certification scope: essential functions, IT, OT, cloud and suppliers. Free Level 1 scoping guide, Word brief and Excel workbook.

Published Reviewed

Cyber security

The office of tomorrow: a Cyber Essentials short film

Watch our independent newsreel-style film about AI, office habits and the five Cyber Essentials controls. With narration, captions and a full transcript.

Published Reviewed

Cyber security

DCC Level 0 requirements

Understand the three Defence Cyber Certification Level 0 controls, scope and evidence. Get a free editable documentation pack from a Level 0 and 1 certification body.

Published Reviewed

Cyber security

DCC vs Cyber Essentials

Cyber Essentials is not an alternative to Defence Cyber Certification, it is part of it. How the two relate, and the order to do them in.

Published Reviewed

Cyber security

DEFCON 658 explained

DEFCON 658 brings the Cyber Security Model into your MOD contract and makes you flow it down to subcontractors. What it requires, and what to do first.

Published Reviewed

Cyber security

Def Stan 05-138 explained

What Defence Standard 05-138 requires, how Cyber Risk Profile levels 0 to 3 decide which controls apply to you, and how it connects to DEFCON 658 and DCC.

Published Reviewed

Governance and audit

Technology due diligence checklist (UK)

A UK technology due diligence checklist for PE deal teams and advisers: the six areas to examine and the custom-software question most reports miss.

Published Reviewed

Cyber security

EDR vs MDR vs XDR vs SOC vs MSSP

EDR, MDR, XDR, SOC and MSSP explained: what each one does, how they differ, and which one a business of your size needs.

Published Reviewed

Cyber security

Cyber Essentials Requirements

Understand the five Cyber Essentials controls, scope and current requirements. Get a free preparation checklist and editable workbook from a certification body.

Published Reviewed

Cyber security

How much does Cyber Essentials cost?

Cyber Essentials costs £320 to £600 + VAT, or £80 to £125 with the government-backed 75% discount for organisations certifying for the first time. Plus, preparation and what drives the cost.

Published Reviewed

Software and AI

What the July 2026 Microsoft Copilot changes mean

From 1 July 2026 Microsoft bundles Copilot into Microsoft 365 Business plans and raises the standalone price. What it means for your business, and what to do.

Published Reviewed

Software and AI

How much does Microsoft Copilot cost?

Microsoft Copilot pricing after the July 2026 changes: bundled Business plans with Copilot versus the standalone licence, and how to choose what fits.

Published Reviewed

Software and AI

Is Microsoft Copilot safe for business?

Whether Microsoft Copilot is safe for business depends on your Microsoft 365 permissions and data. The risks that matter, and how to address them first.

Published Reviewed

Software and AI

Microsoft Copilot security

The Microsoft 365 controls to put in place before you switch Copilot on: oversharing, sensitivity labels, DLP, identity and conditional access.

Published Reviewed

Software and AI

How to stop staff leaking data to ChatGPT and AI tools

How to stop staff leaking company data into ChatGPT and AI tools: an acceptable use policy, sanctioned tools, Microsoft 365 DLP and sensitivity labels, training.

Published Reviewed

Cyber security

How to prepare for Cyber Essentials Plus

Prepare for Cyber Essentials Plus: scope, control checks, device availability and technical testing. Get a free checklist and editable assessment-day planner.

Published Reviewed

Cyber security

How much does ISO 27001 cost?

Our ISO 27001 support is £12,000 to £30,000 + VAT, depending on scope. Certification body audit fees and your team's time are separate. What drives each cost.

Published Reviewed

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