Cyber security is much more than protecting your business from threats and security breaches. More and more, being compliant with recognised cyber security practices and certifications, like Cyber Essentials, is a necessity and could be the difference between growing your business and losing out on new opportunities.
Cyber Essentials also helps you to start your journey in relation to GDPR Article 32 which requires Data Controllers and Data Processors to implement technical and organisational measures so that that ensure a level of data security appropriate for the level of risk presented by processing personal data. Don’t forget that GDPR also requires that any third-party organisations (Data Processor/Joint Data Controllers) that share your data must also implement appropriate standards. An easy way of identifying organisations that have taken data protection seriously would be to ask if they have met Cyber Essentials standards.
A good place to start is getting Cyber Essentials certified and Select Technology can help you pass this certification either as a one-off, or we can support your business with this year after year with our WorkSafer Business IT service.
What is Cyber Essentials?
Cyber Essentials is a Government-backed, industry-supported scheme to help organisations protect themselves against 80% of common cyber-attacks. It includes a series of annual checks and technical controls to ensure you are efficiently protected against cyber threats, including hacking, phishing or password attacks. To pass the certification, you will need evidence in support of your answers.
You can find out more on the Gov website.
Why should you get Cyber Essentials certified?
Boost your IT security
The first reason to get Cyber Essentials certified is to supercharge your IT security systems and ensure you are protected against viruses, malwares, ransomware, spam, phasing, vishing and social engineering. This will allow you to raise the question of cyber security with your whole organisation and ensure that your whole team knows how to protect themselves against cyber threats.
Make sure you're compliant
The Cyber Essentials certification will help you ensure that you are compliant with all relevant data protection regulations,including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). It will help you identify areas of vulnerability in your data protection plan and put the right processes in place to ensure data is accurately protected.
Win bigger clients
Once you achieve your Cyber Essentials certification, you will be able to tender for high-value projects, which require this specific certification. It open new business opportunities for you.
Reassure your customers
In a world where data privacy and security are becoming major concerns, being able to tell your customers you are Cyber Essentials certified will demonstrate your dedication to cyber security and give them the reassurance they need to trust you with their personal data.
“We needed Cyber Essentials certification because we handle our clients’ and candidates’ sensitive data. Select Technology made it easy and stress-free to enhance our cyber security practices and make them more robust. The team was excellent and we would thoroughly recommend using Select Technology for Cyber Essentials certification.”
Lucy Wood, Associate Consultant,
Alderwick Consulting
“We wanted to provide reassurance to our customers that we take cyber security seriously, and Cyber Essentials is one of the ways we can show this. Having previously done this assessment alone a number of times, the support received from Select technology was fantastic and made the process extremely simple and much less onerous. Russ is very knowledgeable and provided clear action points for Select Technology and Staywell to ensure that we were fully compliant and would achieve certification.”
Chris Cakebread, Technical Director,
Staywell Occupational Health