linkDo you know what Cyber Essentials are? Do you know if your business needs them? Cyber Essentials are government standards that help businesses protect themselves against cyber attacks. There are two versions of Cyber Essentials; Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus.
Cyber Essentials Plus is the more comprehensive version, and it includes measures to protect your business from more sophisticated attacks. If you’re not sure if your business needs Cyber Essentials plus, or if you don’t understand the difference between the two versions, read on for more information.
How do Cyber Essentials work?
As the name suggests, Cyber Essentials are the essential cybersecurity measures that all businesses should take. They’re a set of standards that help businesses protect themselves against common cyber attacks.
The standards cover five key areas:
– Boundary firewalls and internet gateways
A firewall is a system or group of systems that are designed to protect your computer or network from unauthorised access. There are two types of firewalls: boundary firewalls and internal firewalls. Boundary firewalls sit at the edge of your network, between you and the Internet. Internal firewalls sit on your internal network, between different parts-of-your-network. An internet gateway is a device that sits between a private network and the public Internet. It allows authorised users on the private network to access resources on the public Internet, and it blocks access to unauthorised users.
– Secure configuration
Secure configuration is one of the most important aspects of cyber security. Without it, your computer or network is vulnerable to cyber-attacks.
Secure configuration involves setting up your computer or network in a way that makes it more resistant to cyber-attacks. This can include installing security software, configuring firewalls, and using strong passwords. By taking these steps, you can make it more difficult for cybercriminals to access your system and data.
– Access control and user privileges
Organisations that are certified have implemented measures to control access to their systems and data, and have assigned user privileges in line with the principle of least privilege. This means that only users who need access to specific systems and data have access and that they only have the privileges required to perform their job. By implementing these measures, organisations can reduce the risk of a cyberattack, as it becomes more difficult for attackers to gain access to systems and data.
– Malware protection
Hackers are always looking for new ways to steal information or damage systems, so it’s crucial to have strong malware protection and cyber security measures in place. If you do happen to suffer an attack, having Cyber Essentials Plus in place will help limit the damage and get you back up and running more quickly.
– Patch management
Patch management is the process of identifying, downloading, and installing patches for software. Patches are pieces of code that fix security vulnerabilities or bugs. By patching your software, you can close these security holes and make your system more secure.
Cyber Essentials vs Cyber Essentials plus?
Cyber Essentials Plus is the more comprehensive version of the standards, and it includes measures to protect your business from more sophisticated attacks. It covers the same five key areas as cyber essentials, but in greater detail. For example, while both versions include measures to secure your network perimeter, cyber essentials plus goes into more detail on how to do this effectively.
How to become certified?
Achieving Cyber Essentials certification demonstrates that your organisation has taken steps to protect itself against common cyber threats. To become certified, you must complete a self-assessment questionnaire and have an independent assessor, such as Trust Hogen to verify your answers. Cyber Essentials certification is valid for one year and must be renewed annually.
So, when it comes to cybersecurity, there is no such thing as being too safe. That’s why, even if you’re not required to have Cyber Essentials accreditation, we still recommend getting it. Why? Because it’s a simple and effective way to protect your business from common cyber attacks. It also shows your customers that you take their security seriously. Cyber Essentials Plus is the more comprehensive version of the standards, and it includes measures to protect your business from more sophisticated attacks.
Still not sure which cyber security certification to go for?
Not sure if your business needs Cyber Essentials? The best way to find out is to talk to one of our cybersecurity experts. They’ll be able to assess your specific risks and recommend the right level of protection for your business. Cybersecurity is an important issue for all business’s, so it’s worth taking the time to get it right.
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