How Cyber Essentials Can Help Support Your Business

64% of companies worldwide have experienced at least one form of cyber attack. For most organisations these days, maintaining a high level of cybersecurity couldn’t be more important.

Cyber Essentials helps you guard your organisation against the threat of cyber attack. Supported by the NCSC, Cyber Essentials can protect your organisation against 80% of common cyber attacks.

Why Do I Need Cyber Essentials?

This year, businesses large and small have faced advanced exploits, network attacks and new phishing. Encouraged by the current work from home norm, 2021 has been a year of massive data leaks, expensive ransomware payouts, and a vast, new, complicated threat landscape.

As the phishing epidemic mutates from strength to strength, the necessity for cybersecurity has become imperative. Government research revealed that 4 in 10 businesses reported having a cybersecurity breach in the last 12 months. So, how can you protect your business?

The Cyber Essentials scheme is a UK government-backed framework supported by the National Cyber Security Centre. By correctly implementing five basic security controls, the Cyber Essentials scheme will help reduce the impact of a cyber attack, preventing disastrous costs to your business.

Aside from the obvious advantages to a business having tough cybersecurity processes in place, having a Cyber Essentials badge secures the reputation of your company. Proof of a security conscious organisation shows customers and clients that the security of their personal and financial information is being handled seriously.

Implementing Cyber Essentials

The Cyber Essentials scheme works on two levels of certification.

The first, the Cyber Essentials self-assessment option, gives you protection against a wide variety of the most common cyber attacks. This level of certification gives you peace of mind as common cyber attacks will be deterred by your protective measures.

The first level of certification will show you how to address and prevent basic cyber attacks, enforcing a security conscious culture within your business.

The second level of certification is referred to as Cyber Essentials Plus, implementing a hands-on technical verification of your company. Cyber Essentials Plus targets your organisation’s internet facing infrastructure, workstations and servers, in order to ensure your current software meets all the necessary security standards.

Suitable for use across all sectors, Cyber Essentials can be accessed by organisations of any type or size.

What Does Cyber Essentials Cover?

The Cyber Essentials scheme covers five key requirements to cybersecurity. The requirements include firewalls, software updates, malware protection, access control and secure configuration.

Actioning these five security controls within your organisation, demonstrates your commitment to safeguarding data, protecting your companies finances and your reputation.

Getting Certified?

The expert team at Netpoint Solutions provide analysis, auditing and consultation services, designed to guide your business through the Cyber Essentials certification.

Contact our experienced team to see if you are compliant with the five key requirements of the Cyber Essentials scheme. We aim to work with you, ensuring that you meet the criteria of your accreditation.