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The no-nonsense guide to cyber essentials

CYBER crime is expected to cost the world $6 trillion in damages by 2021*, proving once again that no matter the size of your business, you could be a target.

Cyber Essentials is a government-backed scheme designed to strengthen IT security within companies. Developed by the National Security Council, Cyber Essentials is the first scheme of its kind and is now a highly regarded certification.

Once certified, your business can demonstrate to both its customers and business partners that cyber security is taken seriously.

Am I a target?

Put simply – yes. In the past, cyber attacks have largely targeted big, high-profile corporations, but hackers are now turning their attentions to smaller companies.

Keen to bolster their security and remain out of the headlines, large corporations have responded by developing better defences against such attacks, but small businesses rarely have the budget to do so.

If you’re a small to medium sized business, hackers may target your systems in the belief that they’ll be less developed than those of high-profile organisations. Put simply, you’re an easy target.

The cost of cyber breaches

Business owners will often dismiss cyber attacks as threats that are unlikely to materialise, but with almost half of UK firms hit by cyber breaches in 2017, no organisation is safe.

The cost of cyber attacks is staggering. In 2015, 74 per cent of small and medium-sized businesses suffered a breach, with the cost ranging from £75K to £311K***.

Recovering from attacks of this kind is extremely difficult for businesses who simply don’t have the budget set aside to deal with the aftermath.

This is the reason Cyber Essentials exists; it offers a cost-effective, manageable framework that can be assessed and implemented within a matter of days.

How Cyber Essentials will benefit your operation

You may already have a disaster recovery plan that enables the business to continue operating in the event of a major incident. Unfortunately, like most plans of that kind, it probably doesn’t mitigate for cyber attacks.

Ignoring cyber security is no longer an option, but with Cyber Essentials, your business can follow a simple, step-by-step route to increasing its defence against such attacks.

With the new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) on the horizon, every business will soon have to enforce strict protection of personal data or risk serious penalties. By implementing Cyber Essentials, you’ll demonstrate that your business is taking the necessary steps to mitigate any risk to personal data from internet-based attacks.

Cyber Essentials will support your business by encouraging a proactive approach to information risk management. This will grow to form an integral part of your operation and demonstrate to customers, insurers and investors that you’ve taken the essential precautions.

Help is at hand!

Cyber Essentials is a complex area, but acs can help your business achieve full certification swiftly and cost-effectively. Contact ACS on 0844 481 5786 to find out more.

 

 

* cybersecurityventures.com/hackerpocalypse-cybercrime-report-2016

** www.gov.uk/government/news/almost-half-of-uk-firms-hit-by-cyber-breach-or-attack-in-the-past-year

*** www.gov.uk/government/publications/information-security-breaches-survey-2015

Companies mentioned in this article

Bechtle

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