Cyber Essentials

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Cyber Essentials

What is Cyber Essentials

Cyber Essentials is a UK government scheme to help ensure basic cyber-security measures are in place helping to prevent up to 80% of cyber attacks. The scheme is based on a simple set of security controls to protect information from threats coming from the internet. Cyber Essentials is suitable for all organisations, of any size, in any sector.

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What are the key controls of Cyber Essentials?

Below is a quick summary of the 5 controls of Cyber Essentials:

Boundary firewalls and internet gateways

This control relates to employees’ access to the internet. Customers gateways and firewalls identify and prevent unwanted traffic attempting to gain access to the network and systems. The control will ensure these devices are set up correctly, blocking unwanted access whilst allowing employees to work safely.

Secure configuration

When customers buy a new Computer, it can be dangerous to deploy with only its factory settings. All computers and network devices should have unnecessary software removed and default settings and password changed.

Access control

All businesses should ensure that only certain individuals have access to administrative user accounts due to the large number of security breaches that happen from abuse of these rights. Organisations should make sure they have the right controls in place including malware protection and enforcing unique usernames and passwords.

Malware Protection

Malware protection is an essential element of IT Security and provides protection for devices which are exposed to the internet. Malware is designed to intentionally cause damage to a computers, servers, or entire computer networks with popular types of malware including worms, trojan horses, ransomware and spyware. Companies should install malware protection on all computers and have regular scanning to provide early detection.

Patch Management

A patch is an update usually designed to fix or improve the installed software. If there are vulnerabilities in the software that have not been ‘patched’ then software becomes vulnerable subject to unauthorised access to networks and computers. Companies must ensure all security patches are updated and out of date software is removed.

Organisations can earn two levels of certification

Cyber Essentials

Cyber Essentials is a Self-Assessment option providing protection against the most common cyber-attacks. Organisations who lack basic security stand out to cyber criminals who are also more likely to attack those without the certification.

Companies complete the self-assessment form and the responses are reviewed by an external certifying body. Certification gives organisations peace of mind that security will defend against many of the common cyber-attacks.

Cyber Essentials PLUS

Cyber Essentials PLUS has the same requirements as Cyber Essentials and requires the same protection putting in place. The main difference is it requires an independent assessment to be carried out to verify that you do indeed have the 5 technical security controls in place.

The Cyber Essentials assessment also involves a vulnerability scan which will identify unpatched or unsupported software, open ports or incorrect firewall configurations etc.

Why should you get Cyber Essentials?

To reassure customers that you are working to secure your IT against cyber attack
To attract new business with the promise that you have cyber security measures in place
So that you have a clear picture of your organisation’s cyber security level
Because some Government contracts require Cyber Essentials certification

Intalect will help make gaining the Cyber Essentials certification quick and painless. Find out how we can help today.

BOOK A CALL

What is Cyber Essentials

Get Certified - BOOK YOUR 15 MINUTE CALL NOW

Intalect can certify your business within 24 hours of agreement in some cases. Find out how we can help today.

What are the key controls of Cyber Essentials?

Boundary firewalls and internet gateways

Secure configuration

Access control

Malware Protection

Patch Management

Organisations can earn two levels of certification

Cyber Essentials

Cyber Essentials PLUS

Why should you get Cyber Essentials?

Intalect will help make gaining the Cyber Essentials certification quick and painless. Find out how we can help today.

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