Certified by Nectar – Your Trusted CyberCert partner
Nectar has achieved SMB1001 Gold Level 3 certification with Diamond Level 5 to arrive in the coming months, demonstrating our commitment to maintaining advanced cybersecurity standards in our own operations.
When you work with Nectar, you’re partnering with a team that practices what we preach. Our SMB1001 certification means:
- We’ve implemented advanced security practices, Nectar certifies to SMB1001 but aligns all practices to CIS standards.
- We understand the SMB1001 framework inside and out—because we’ve achieved it ourselves.
- You’re working with a proven, certified cybersecurity partner.
Progressive. Practical. Proven.
Five Certification Levels Built for SMB Growth
SMB1001 is a tiered cybersecurity framework developed by Dynamic Standards International (DSI) specifically for small and medium-sized businesses. Unlike complex enterprise standards, SMB1001 provides a practical, scalable pathway to improve your security posture progressively.
This dynamic framework helps businesses build cybersecurity maturity through five certification levels:
Progressive Implementation: This structured approach allows you to scale your security efforts as your business grows, achieving higher certification levels when the time is right.
Progressive Certification Pathway
Bronze
Level 1
Foundational security controls that protect your business against the most common cyber threats.
Silver
Level 2
Enhanced security measures that strengthen your defences and demonstrate proactive risk management.
Gold
Level 3
Advanced security practices aligned with globally recognised standards like ISO/IEC 27001.
Platinum
Level 4
Comprehensive cybersecurity strategies integrating cutting-edge technologies and robust processes.
Diamond
Level 5
The pinnacle of cybersecurity maturity—positioning your organisation as a leader in security excellence.
Why SMB1001 Matters for Your Business
Meet Supply Chain Requirements
Large organisations and government agencies increasingly require their suppliers and partners to meet verified cybersecurity standards. SMB1001 certification demonstrates you’re serious about security.
Customer Trust & Competitive Advantage
Show clients and stakeholders that you’ve taken measurable steps to protect their data. Certification builds confidence and sets you apart from competitors.
Cost-Effective Compliance
Achieve internationally recognised cybersecurity standards without the complexity or expense of enterprise frameworks. SMB1001 is designed to be accessible for businesses of all sizes.
Progressive Implementation
No need to implement everything at once. Advance through certification levels at a pace that suits your budget, resources, and business priorities.
Regulatory Preparedness
Stay ahead of evolving privacy and security regulations. SMB1001 aligns with best practices that support compliance with the Privacy Act and industry-specific requirements.
How Nectar Can Help You Achieve Certification
As a certified SMB1001 Gold Level 3 Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP), Nectar offers comprehensive support to help your business achieve certification at any level.
Security Readiness Assessment
We’ll conduct a thorough evaluation of your current cybersecurity posture, identify gaps, and provide a clear roadmap to certification. You’ll know exactly what needs to be implemented and why.
Implementation & Configuration
Our security engineers will deploy and configure the required controls—from firewalls and endpoint protection to multi-factor authentication, secure backups, and network segmentation.
Policy Development & Documentation
We’ll help you develop essential cybersecurity policies, procedures, and documentation that meet SMB1001 requirements and align with your business operations.
Testing & Validation
Our team conducts thorough testing to ensure all security controls are functioning correctly and meeting certification standards before submission.
Certification Support
We’ll guide you through the certification process, working directly with DSI to ensure a smooth assessment and successful outcome.
Ongoing Managed Security Services
Certification is just the beginning. Our MSSP services provide continuous monitoring, threat detection, incident response, and security maintenance to keep your certification current and your business protected.
The Nectar Difference
Local Expertise
Based in Christchurch with deep roots in the Canterbury business community, we understand the specific challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand SMBs.
MSSP-First Approach
We’re not just consultants who hand you a checklist. As a full-service MSSP, we implement, manage, and monitor your security infrastructure on an ongoing basis.
Transparent Pricing
No surprises. We provide clear, upfront pricing for certification services and ongoing security management.
Proven Track Record
Our team has decades of combined experience in cybersecurity, IT infrastructure, and regulatory compliance across New Zealand businesses.
End-to-End Support
From initial assessment through certification and beyond, we’re with you every step of the way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Timeline varies based on your starting point and target certification level. Nectar recommends aiming for Gold, this typically require us to complete our CIS Audit , and then remediation can take anywhere from 2-4 months depending on what the audit uncovers.
Not necessarily. During your assessment, we’ll determine which level is most appropriate for your current security posture and business needs. Some organisations may be ready to pursue Silver or Gold certification immediately.
Yes. Many SMB1001 controls align with Privacy Act requirements, PCI DSS (for businesses handling payment cards), and industry-specific standards. We’ll identify how certification supports your broader compliance obligations.
SMB1001 is aligned with internationally recognised frameworks, including ISO/IEC 27001, and provides a practical pathway toward ISO 27001–level maturity. This makes it valuable for businesses serving international clients or operating in global supply chains.
Investment depends on your current security infrastructure and desired certification level. Nectar Group provides transparent pricing during our initial chat around auditing prices, based of the auditing this will give you a clear-cut accurate cost to achieving certification for your business. As a DSI partner, we can often achieve certification more cost-effectively than going direct.
SMB1001 certification is valid for 12 months. We recommend ongoing managed security services to maintain compliance and prepare for annual recertification.
No problem. We can implement security improvements incrementally through our managed security services, preparing you for certification when the timing is right.
All industries benefit, but it’s particularly valuable for professional services, healthcare, finance, education, manufacturing, and any business handling sensitive customer data or working with larger organisations.