Cyber Essentials
Know Your Cyber Security Resilience
Every organisation can get Cyber Essentials Certification without having to become a Cyber Security expert.
Cyber Essentials is a simple but effective, UK Government backed scheme that will help your organisation to effectively establish the five core controls that have been shown to prevent most cyber attacks. As an organisation, you will assess yourself against five basic security controls and a qualified assessor verifies the information provided. Whether you are a small scale startup or an established and growing business, Cyber Essentials will help you avoid the consequences of such things as:
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Phishing Attacks
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Malware
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Ransomeware
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​Password Guessing
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​Network Attacks
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The Cyber Essentials Five Core Controls
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Firewalls: Ensure that only safe and necessary network services can be accessed from the Internet.
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Secure Configuration: Ensure that computers and network devices are properly configured.
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User Access Control: Ensure user accounts are assigned to authorised individuals only.
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​Malware Protection: Restrict execution of known malware and untrusted software.
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​Security Update Management: Ensure that devices and software are not vulnerable to known security issues for which fixes are available.
Micro Organisations
If you work for yourself or run a small firm with fewer than 10 employees, the Government backed Cyber Essentials Scheme is well suited for you. It provides great assurance and demonstrates your commitment to cyber security. 38% of small businesses have atleast suffered a cyber breach or attack in the past 12 months, with the average cost for those that lost data or assets standing at £8,170. Cyber Essentials Certification helps to guard against the most common cyber threats. Taking action today can significantly reduce the chances of your business becoming a victim of cyber crime.
Small Organisations
Small businesses of sizes 10-49 can benefit from using the National Cyber Security Centre’s (NCSC) Cyber Essentials Scheme which attracts new business with the promise you have cyber security measures in place. Recent surveys revealed that more than half of all British Small firms have reported an intrusion attempt. Cyber Essentials standards improve the security for those that properly implement it and customers will easily recognise your security competence.
Medium Organisations
A medium organisation has between 50-249 employees. Similar to Small Organisations, a research revealed that small and medium enterprises are highly important for the British economy, as businesses that employ between one and 249 employees contribute more than £2 trillion in turnover and employ 44% of the British workforce. Therefore, the cyber threat and IT security risks increase exponentially. By implementing the Cyber Essentials guidelines, organisations will have a clear picture of your organisation's cyber security level.
Large Organisations
The larger the organisation the greater the risk of cyber intrusion. A successful cyber attack can cause major catastrophic damage to large business. Data breaches are known to severely affect general businesses, medical/healthcare organizations, financial institutions, energy/utilities, education and Government/Military. Most Government contracts now require Cyber Essentials certification.
If you would like to bid for government contract, which may involve handling sensitive and personal information or the provision of certain technical products and services, you will certainly require Cyber Essentials Certification.
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