Clifford James Consultants is an award-winning legal and insurance services firm based in Northumberland, specialising in diminution in value claims following road traffic accidents.
Established in 2006, the firm is recognised as a market leader in this niche area, representing insurers, leasing companies, blue-chip organisations, and private clients across the UK. Operating in a highly regulated environment and handling sensitive data as part of its day-to-day work, the business requires secure, reliable, and well-managed IT systems to support both operational performance and compliance.
Background
Advantex began working with Clifford James in 2018, establishing a long-term partnership to support the organisation’s IT environment. As the business developed, the focus shifted from stabilising infrastructure and improving service delivery to strengthening cyber security and implementing a more structured, standards-driven approach.
The Challenge
As the organisation evolved, Clifford James required a more structured and proactive approach to both IT service delivery and cyber security.
The firm needed to:
- Establish a standardised and consistently managed IT environment
- Reduce exposure to phishing and user-driven cyber risks
- Improve patching, vulnerability management, and system visibility
- Implement and evidence controls required for Cyber Essentials Plus certification
- Strengthen staff awareness and day-to-day security behaviours
- Maintain operational performance while introducing new controls
The Solution
Advantex delivered a phased Managed Service approach, combining infrastructure improvements with a comprehensive cyber security programme aligned to Cyber Essentials Plus requirements.
Cyber Essentials Plus requires a more rigorous level of control, validation, and evidence than standard Cyber Essentials. By working closely with the business and providing hands-on guidance throughout, Advantex helped Clifford James understand these requirements, identify gaps, and implement the necessary controls in a structured and manageable way.
Key components included:
- Secure and standardised IT environment, creating a consistent and controlled baseline across all systems
- Centralised patch management and vulnerability scanning, ensuring systems remained protected and risks were identified and remediated quickly
- Email security and DMARC implementation, reducing the risk of spoofing and phishing attacks
- User-focused security controls, including cyber security awareness training and regular phishing simulations to improve staff resilience
- Ongoing governance and compliance support, aligning systems and processes with certification requirements and supporting continuous improvement
This approach ensured that both technical controls and user behaviours were aligned to meet the standards required for Cyber Essentials Plus.
Benefits
- Successful achievement of Cyber Essentials Plus certification, demonstrating independently verified security controls
- Reduced risk of cyber incidents through improved patching, vulnerability management, and threat protection
- Greater resilience against phishing attacks, driven by improved user awareness and behavioural change
- Increased visibility and control across the IT environment, supporting stronger governance and decision-making
- Improved operational stability and user experience through a more structured and proactive IT approach
- Strengthened compliance position, supporting regulatory and client assurance requirements
Conclusion
The partnership between Advantex and Clifford James Consultants demonstrates how a Managed Service approach can go beyond day-to-day IT support to deliver measurable cyber security outcomes. Achieving Cyber Essentials Plus requires more than technical changes, it demands clear visibility of your environment, the right controls in place, and a structured approach to meeting strict assessment criteria.
By working closely with the business and providing hands-on guidance throughout, Advantex helped Clifford James implement the necessary controls and successfully achieve Cyber Essentials Plus. The result is a more secure, resilient IT environment, with security embedded into day-to-day operations rather than treated as a one-off project.
If you’re considering Cyber Essentials Plus, or want to understand how your current setup compares, you can book a short call here, and we’ll run through your environment and highlight any gaps or quick wins.