A leading cybersecurity company has achieved the hard-to-gain B Corp certification – by achieving high ethical standards for staff and the planet.

Computer Network Defence (CND), with offices in Corsham near Bath and on the Isle of Man, is the first dedicated UK-headquartered cybersecurity business to achieve the standard. The assessment measured the business’s impact on its staff, community, suppliers, customers, governance and the environment.

Founded 21 years ago by Andy Cuff and his wife Amanda, CND has grown to around 70 staff and operates across the world. It works in all areas of cybersecurity, develops its own products, recruits in the sector and provides intelligence to all the world’s major governments.

The business has always taken its corporate social responsibility seriously and when it became aware of the B Corp certification it discovered much of what was required it was already doing.

B Corp is a global community of for-profit leaders pledging to use business as a force for good.

Andy said:

“Ethics has always been our cornerstone – we have no sales staff and grow through reputation and word of mouth. When we came across the B Corp certification we looked at it and saw that the assessment covered things already embedded in the business."

“For example, around 40 per cent of our staff identify as neuro-divergent - we know the unique strengths they bring so we work hard to create an inclusive environment where all staff are empowered to thrive. We also recruit from disadvantaged groups such as military wives and veterans and were early in adopting flexible working hours, so parents could pick up their children from school for instance."

“The assessment process is extremely demanding and more than half of applicants fail to achieve the standards. It includes things such as having policies and statements on working with sustainability, mental wellbeing and flexible working – all things we have been doing for years."

“I would urge other businesses to go for the certification; the process is worthwhile in itself as it helps you view your business from a different perspective. It makes you more agile."

“Our clients have been hugely impressed and we now seek to work with other B Corp-certified businesses. CND are proud to join the B Corp community and are committed to taking the next steps to a positive outcome for all.”