What is Cyber Essentials?
The Cyber Essentials certificate is a scheme run by the National Cyber Security Centre and is aimed at getting all businesses to a standard security level to prevent cybercrime.
It is a government backed scheme that helps protect organisations of all shapes and sizes from a range of the most common cyber-attacks. Cyber-attacks come in many forms, but the vast majority are very basic in nature, carried out by relatively unskilled individuals. The advice provided by Cyber Essentials is designed to prevent these attacks
Why Cyber Essentials are important for SMEs
No matter the size of your business there is always the threat of being the possible target of a cyber-attack. With the rapid increase of cyber-attacks across the years it is important that you ensure your business is cyber aware and trained in cyber security.
It is difficult to find the time and resources needed to develop a robust cyber security system. However, Cyber Essentials was strategically designed to fit with whatever level of commitment you can sustain. There are three levels of engagement, and the easiest way to get acquainted with cyber security terminology is to gain enough knowledge to start securing your IT.
If you need more cyber security certainty, you can go to Cyber Essentials basic or entry level certification. You can then go to Cyber Essentials Plus certification for those who want to take cyber security further.
Benefits of Cyber Essentials for SMEs
Protection against common cyber attacks
Common cyber attacks look to target basic weaknesses that can be found in your organisation, things such as out of date software or the lack of well-configures firewalls. By implementing the technical controls from cyber essentials, you are ultimately able to protect against 80% of common cyber threats. While there is no security strategy to protect against every single security threat Cyber Essentials will help your organisation to reduce the risks of the most likely attack from occurring.
Shows customers your take cyber security serious
When customers or vendors are looking to deal with you, they will most likely be sceptical of your business if you are not taking the threat of cyber security seriously. By becoming certified in Cyber Essentials, you can display the Cyber Essentials badge on your business website establishing the trust of your clients and partners. This is important if you are a business looking to store a clients or customers sensitive information.
Implement cyber security measures in an affordable way
The Cyber Essentials certification was designed to be an affordable and achievable way to ensure that your business implements cyber security measures. The process of obtaining certification for Cyber Essentials is simple and costs from £650. Along the way, the company you choose to certify you can choose to buy as much or as little help as you need. Cyber Essentials shows you how the most common attacks can be addressed and prevented. Here you can find out more about the process https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/cyberessentials/overview
What’s the difference between Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus?
Cyber Essentials Certification
The Cyber Essentials self-assessment option provides protection from a vast range of the most common cyber breaches. This is important because vulnerability to simple attacks can identify you as a target for more thorough undesirable attention from cyber criminals and others.
This certification puts your mind at ease as your defences will protect you against most common cyber-attacks simply because they are looking for targets that do not have the technical controls of Cyber Essentials.
Cyber Essentials Plus
Cyber Essentials Plus still has the Cyber Essentials identification approach simplicity, and the protections you need are the same, but Certification Body will independently verify your cyber security. The more meticulous nature of the certification may require you to purchase additional support from your Certification Body.
How can Portal Help you?
At Portal Technologies we can help take you through the process of getting your business Cyber Essential certified. If you are looking for some advice and are interested in getting your business certified then please get in touch with us. If you want to find out more information on Cyber Essentials then you can click here.
