First Step Fund: creating your unique partner funding link
Your unique CyberSmart link makes sure your customer's funded assessment is allocated to CyberSmart's audit team and connected to your partner account. Complete these steps before your customer goes to IASME's First Step site.
1. Generate your partner link
Go to cyber-essentials-funding.cybersmart.co.uk and enter your partner name in the Create your customer link panel. This name appears in the link your customers receive.
2. Choose how to share your link
Once you've entered your partner name, select one of two options:
I'll share a link with my customers — send one link to as many customers as you like, for example in a mass email or newsletter. Each customer enters their own organisation name, which tells CyberSmart they plan to use the funding. This works well if you're not yet sure which customers want to go ahead.
I'll provide my customer list — use this if you've already spoken to your customers and know they want to use the scheme. Enter their organisation names and we'll connect them to your partner account.
3a. If you chose "I'll share a link with my customers"
The link takes your customer to a page with your partner name already filled in. They can't edit your partner name, and we record their organisation as one of your customers.
When they enter their organisation name and select Get my voucher link, the voucher link takes them straight to IASME's First Step site to set up their account.
3b. If you chose "I'll provide my customer list"
Enter the names of the customers you know want to proceed with the funding. This lets CyberSmart add each organisation to your partner account.
Only add organisations that intend to go ahead.
You can enter as many names as you need.
You can return to this page as often as you like to add new customers as they confirm.
When you select Save customer list, you'll get a unique IASME link to send to each customer on the list. The link takes them straight to IASME's First Step site to set up their account.
Common questions
Can I reuse my link?
Yes. With I'll share a link with my customers, the same link works for every customer, so you can send it to your whole customer base at once. With I'll provide my customer list, return to the page and add new customers as they confirm.
Can I use the scheme for prospecting?
Yes, but CyberSmart can only assign an organisation to your partner account if they also become a customer of yours contractually.
What if my customer signs up without my link?
Their account won't be tied to CyberSmart as the certification body, or to you as the partner in our platform. Always send your unique link and ask customers to use it rather than searching for the scheme online.
Need help?
If you have any questions about the First Step Fund, get in touch with our support team using the chat on this page.