Overview and Purpose

The Bronze level of the Digital Pathway framework is the starting point for organisations aiming to build a secure, compliant, and resilient digital foundation. It focuses on establishing essential capabilities across the five architecture areas: Business, Data, Application, Technology, and Security.

Purpose

The primary goal of the Bronze level is to ensure organisations meet foundational digital and cybersecurity standards, enabling them to operate securely and efficiently while complying with key regulations. This level is particularly suited for organisations at the early stages of their digital transformation journey.

Key Objectives of the Bronze Level

1. Compliance Readiness

   • Align core business processes with industry regulations and standards, such as GDPR and Cyber Essentials.

   • Ensure baseline cybersecurity measures are in place to protect organisational assets.

2. Foundation Building

   • Establish essential digital and cybersecurity practices to support operational goals and compliance needs.

   • Provide employees with basic digital skills training to enable effective participation in digital initiatives.

3. Operational Security

   • Implement basic security controls such as firewalls, antivirus software, and secure data storage practices.

   • Develop foundational incident response plans to address potential cybersecurity threats.

4. Digital Awareness

   • Introduce a documented digital strategy that aligns with compliance and operational objectives.

   • Promote digital readiness across core processes, applications, and data governance.

Benefits of Achieving Bronze Certification

• Enhanced Resilience: Improved security measures reduce the risk of cyberattacks and operational disruptions.

• Regulatory Compliance: Adherence to foundational standards demonstrates commitment to legal and ethical practices.

• Operational Efficiency: Digitised processes and secure infrastructure enable smoother operations and data management.

• Employee Readiness: Basic digital skills training empowers employees to contribute to the organisation’s digital initiatives.

The Bronze level is not just about meeting minimum requirements—it sets the stage for sustainable growth and progression to higher maturity levels, such as Silver and Gold.

For more details on how to complete the assessment, proceed to the Assessment Guide for Bronze. If you’re ready to improve, explore the Pathway to Improvement for Bronze.