Working with Kenfolk on Their Cyber Essentials Certification

A couple of years ago, we were the client. Kenfolk, then trading as WeAreKen, took on our rebrand. It’s the kind of work that requires trust. You’re handing over your identity to someone else and hoping they get it right. They did. So when Ross and the team got in touch about Cyber Essentials certification, it felt like things had come full circle.

Why Kenfolk Wanted Certification

Creative agencies handle more sensitive information than people realise. Client credentials, brand strategies, unreleased campaigns, confidential business plans. Kenfolk understood that protecting this information wasn’t optional.

As they put it, having Cyber Essentials means “protecting ourselves from potentially devastating losses” with “a lower risk of exposure.” Beyond the security itself, they wanted peace of mind. One less thing to worry about, both for them and for the clients trusting them with sensitive work.

There was a practical angle too. More organisations now expect suppliers to hold Cyber Essentials certification, particularly when tendering for work with the NHS or local authorities. For an agency looking to grow and take on bigger projects, certification removes a barrier that might otherwise cost them opportunities.

Working Through the Five Controls

We worked through the five Cyber Essentials controls with the Kenfolk team: firewalls, secure configuration, user access control, malware protection, and patch management. They already had solid foundations in place, so the focus was on reviewing their setup, addressing any gaps, and making sure everything was documented to meet the certification standard.

Kenfolk Are Now Certified

Kenfolk are now Cyber Essentials certified. For their clients, it’s reassurance that their information is being handled properly. For Kenfolk, it’s proof that they take security as seriously as they take the creative work.

In their words, it “gives both the agency and our clients peace of mind knowing they are protected.”

There’s something satisfying about helping the people who helped you. If you’re an agency thinking about certification, have a read of Kenfolk’s own take on why it matters: Why agencies need Cyber Essentials protection

If you’re a creative agency handling client data and credentials, Cyber Essentials is a straightforward way to protect your work and remove barriers when pitching for new contracts. If you’re not sure where to start, we can help you get certified without the usual headaches.