CG Reynolds Ltd is a trusted specialist contractor based in the West Midlands, established in 1990. With over 35 years of experience, the company delivers high-quality construction and specialist contracting services across a wide range of sectors.
Renowned for its craftsmanship, reliability, and customer-first approach, CG Reynolds has built a reputation as a trusted partner for clients throughout the region. As the business has grown, so too has its reliance on digital systems, making cybersecurity and compliance increasingly critical to its operations and contract success.
The Challenge
As a leading contractor working with public and private sector clients, CG Reynolds needed to meet strict cybersecurity standards to qualify for new project tenders and maintain client trust.
When the company secured a major project that required Cyber Essentials certification as a prerequisite, they needed the process completed quickly and efficiently – without disrupting day-to-day operations.
“We’d been awarded the project and were trying to go live – we needed Cyber Essentials done, and we needed it done fast.”
Luke Humpage, CG Reynolds
The EBS Solution
CG Reynolds turned to EBS, their long-term Managed Service Provider, to lead them through the certification process.
EBS conducted a full Cyber Essentials audit, identified key areas for improvement, and implemented essential upgrades – including Microsoft 365 subscription enhancements, incorporating Mobile Device Management (MDM) and additional levels of Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) across all users.
The team handled the audit and told us exactly which bits we needed to upgrade - mainly MFA, MDM and Microsoft subscriptions. The technical team took care of everything. There were no issues.
This collaborative approach ensured the company met compliance requirements on time, allowing them to move forward confidently with the new project.
Why Cyber Essentials Plus Should Be a Business Priority
Following their successful Cyber Essentials certification, CG Reynolds has now upgraded to Cyber Essentials Plus – the next level of cybersecurity assurance.
While Cyber Essentials verifies that key security controls are in place, Cyber Essentials Plus goes further by independently testing and validating those defences in real-world scenarios. This hands-on verification provides stronger assurance for both the business and its clients.
The Key Advantages of Cyber Essentials Plus
- Independent verification: Ensures that security measures not only exist but actively protect against cyber threats.
- Enhanced client confidence: Demonstrates a deeper commitment to cybersecurity – increasingly vital for public sector and construction tenders.
- Operational resilience: Protects sensitive project and client data from evolving cyber risks.
- Competitive edge: Differentiates your business in a sector where compliance is becoming an essential requirement.
- Peace of mind: Reduces the likelihood of data breaches, downtime, and financial loss.
We’ve now at upgraded to Cyber Essentials Plus - with EBS handling the process, we knew it would be straightforward.
Beyond Certification: Reliable IT Support in Action
EBS’s partnership with CG Reynolds extends far beyond certification. Over their 20-year relationship, EBS has supported the company’s digital evolution – from early server installations to cloud and hybrid infrastructure.
When an unexpected fire incident next door threatened operations, EBS’s swift disaster recovery response proved invaluable.
There was a fire in the unit next to us that cut our power. I emailed Simon at 8 p.m. on a Sunday - by 10 a.m. Monday the team were outside collecting our servers, and by 4 p.m., we were back online. We only lost about eight hours of work - it could have been so much worse.
The Results
Through their partnership with EBS, CG Reynolds has:
- Achieved Cyber Essentials certification on-time to meet project requirements
- Strengthened protection across systems and user access.
- Built a foundation and achieved Cyber Essentials Plus certification.
- Enhanced resilience with tested disaster recovery processes.
- Enjoyed responsive, knowledgeable IT support that delivers solutions quickly and reliably.
If we’ve got a problem now, we don’t hesitate. We make a call, book a ticket, and it’s usually sorted that day. That’s the difference.
A Broader Managed IT Service
Cyber Essentials certification is just one element of the wider IT support EBS provides to CG Reynolds. As part of an ongoing managed service, EBS delivers a comprehensive set of solutions designed to keep the business secure, compliant, and operationally resilient.
Services Provided by EBS include:
- Proactive Technical Support – Continuous monitoring and fast-response support to minimise downtime and resolve issues before they escalate.
- Firewall Management – Robust perimeter security to protect the network from unauthorised access and cyber threats.
- Email Filtering – Advanced protection against phishing, malware, and spam, reducing the risk of user-based attacks.
- Online Backups – Secure, automated backups to ensure critical data can be restored quickly in the event of an incident.
- Patch Management – Regular updates and security patching to keep systems protected against known vulnerabilities.
- Office 365 Subscriptions – Managed Microsoft 365 licensing, configuration, and security optimisation.
Together, these services form a layered security approach, aligning directly with Cyber Essentials requirements while also strengthening the organisation’s overall cyber resilience.
Conclusion
For construction and contracting firms like CG Reynolds, Cyber Essentials Plus isn’t just a compliance exercise – it’s a strategic investment in business continuity, client confidence, and long-term security.
Protect your business with EBS
As cyber threats grow more sophisticated and security standards tighten across the industry, partnering with an experienced MSP like EBS ensures your business stays protected, compliant, and ready for the future. Contact us to find out more.
