Cyber Essentials is a scheme backed by the Government aiming to help businesses and organisations alike to be protected against a range of cyber attacks. Cyber criminals target all types of businesses, whatever their size, which is why it is so important to have an infrastructure in place that is designed to keep your business safe.
There are a number of benefits to becoming accredited, one being that it makes your business more reliable and clients are more likely to want to work with you. Cyber Essentials accreditation reassures clients that their data and information is safe.
There are two levels of Cyber Essentials accreditation
Cyber Essentials
This accreditation involves conducting a self-assessment against a wide variety of the most common types of cyber attacks. The aim of this assessment is to check for any vulnerabilities that even the simplest of cyber attacks can infiltrate through. This scheme will not only bring light to any hidden vulnerabilities but also show you how to address them & keep your infrastructure protected.
Cyber Essentials Plus
This accreditation also requires the self-assessment approach alongside implementing protection against the most common types of cyber attacks. In addition to this a physical technical verification will also need to be carried out
Benefits to becoming certified
- You reassure your clients that they are working with a reliable and secure organisation that is protected against cyber attacks.
- More likely to attract new clients due to the added reassurance of data security when working with your business.
- Helps you understand the level of security present in your organisation.
- A lot of Government contracts will require you to show proof of your Cyber Essentials certification.
Key areas of Cyber Essentials
There are five main technical controls in your company which must be met in order to pass the certification process. Key areas are as follows:
Firewalls
This is the barrier between trusted & untrustworthy public networks.
User Access Control
Managing the level of access individuals have to certain areas of the IT infrastructure.
Patch Management
Regular updates are essential to cyber security and reducing vulnerabilities from being able to access your IT infrastructure.
Secure Configuration
Correct arrangement of various technology & servers aiming to reduce the levels of vulnerabilities.
Malware Protection
Installation of an adequate virus/malware protection that is regularly kept up-to-date.
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