TIC cyber firm becomes county’s sole Ministry of Defence certification assessor

Cool Waters Cyber has become the only firm in Cornwall authorised to assess and issue a new Defence Cyber Certification (DCC) – a Ministry of Defence (MoD) standard now required alongside the established Cyber Essentials scheme, for businesses working on military-linked projects.

As evolving security requirements tighten around UK military bases, non-digital trades such as builders, plasterers and landscapers must now demonstrate robust cybersecurity before they can receive project blueprints or specifications.

DCC is a new MoD cybersecurity standard designed to protect sensitive defence information across the entire supply chain, from major contractors through to small local firms.

Tremough Innovation Centre-based Cool Waters Cyber is now one of only around 80 certification bodies nationwide, and the only assessor in Cornwall with the authority to issue the Defence Cyber Certification and Cyber Essentials certificates on behalf of the MoD.

To support non-technical customers through the process, the business has developed a guided online platform that breaks complex cyber requirements into clear, manageable steps. Live for around six months, the platform has already enabled teams to receive the certification in half the time than before.

CEO Mark Faithfull said: “Most of the local firms we support, from builders to plumbers, are brilliant at what they do, but they don’t necessarily have in-house cyber expertise. Our role is to make sure they can still access major opportunities at sites like RNAS Culdrose, without being held back by new security rules.”

Matt Harrington, head of Cornwall Innovation Centres, added: “Cool Waters Cyber is a fantastic example of a customer using deep technical expertise to unlock real-world opportunities for local businesses. By securing their role as Cornwall’s only Defence Cyber Certification assessor, they’re making it possible for small and medium-sized firms to compete for major defence projects that might otherwise have been out of reach.”