Ensuring that this data remains secure is not just a priority—it’s a necessity. During a recent webinar hosted by Jason Chaplin and Michael Trieu from IT Backbone, they discussed the importance of Cyber Essentials, a UK government-backed scheme designed to help businesses, including accountancy firms, protect themselves against common cyber threats.
The key takeaway from this session was the critical role of implementing effective cybersecurity measures to protect your business from cybercrime and to instil trust in your customers whose data you handle.
What are Cyber Essentials?
Cyber Essentials is a certification scheme developed by the UK government, aimed at protecting organisations from the most prevalent cyber threats, including phishing, ransomware and data breaches. It focuses on five key technical controls, each of which plays an integral role in safeguarding company data:
1. Firewalls
Firewalls act as the first line of defence by controlling incoming and outgoing traffic. A properly configured firewall ensures that only authorised connections are allowed, blocking potential intruders.
2. Secure Configuration
Ensuring that systems and software are configured securely reduces the risk of cyberattacks. This includes disabling unnecessary accounts, changing default passwords and enabling security features.
3. User Access Control
Limiting access to sensitive data is essential. By implementing user access control, businesses can ensure that employees only have access to the information they need for their specific roles, minimising exposure.
4. Malware Protection
Malware can cripple a business by damaging or stealing data. Adequate protection through antivirus software and other measures is critical in defending against malicious software.
5. Patch Management
Regularly updating software and systems with the latest security patches helps protect against vulnerabilities that cybercriminals can exploit.
By adhering to these technical controls, businesses can significantly reduce their risk of falling victim to cyberattacks.
Why Cyber Essentials Matters
During the webinar, both Jason and Michael emphasised how crucial cybersecurity is for accountants. Accounting firms handle highly sensitive client information, including financial data, personal identification numbers, and corporate financial records. Any breach in security could lead to devastating financial and reputational damage, not only for the firm but also for its clients.
In this context, Cyber Essentials provides accountants with a structured and effective way to protect their data. The certification not only ensures that the firm is protected against basic cyber threats but also offers several additional benefits.
Benefits of Cyber Essentials
– Client Confidence: Being Cyber Essentials certified assures clients that their data is being handled securely, which builds trust.
– Free Cyber Insurance: Achieving Cyber Essentials certification may qualify your business for free cyber insurance, adding an extra layer of protection in case of an attack.
– Compliance and Legal Security: Certification can help businesses meet regulatory requirements and avoid penalties associated with data breaches or non-compliance with data protection laws like GDPR.
Best Practices for Enhancing Cybersecurity
All companies should adopt best practices to enhance their cybersecurity. This includes
– Regular backups to ensure that all data. These backups should be securely stored offsite and regularly tested to ensure they can be restored in case of a cyberattack.
– Employees are often the weakest link in the cybersecurity chain. Conducting regular training sessions on identifying phishing attempts, using strong passwords and maintaining general security awareness is vital.
– Implementing MFA adds an additional layer of security, requiring users to provide multiple forms of identification before accessing systems.
– Continuous monitoring of your company’s systems for any suspicious activity or potential vulnerabilities. Early detection is key in preventing attacks from escalating.
What is the difference between Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus
Cyber Essentials:
Overview: Basic level of cyber security certification.
Assessment: Self-assessment questionnaire.
Scope: Covers the five key controls.
Certification: Typically involves a self-assessment validated by an external body.
Cost: Generally lower.
Cyber Essentials Plus
Prerequisite: Cyber Essentials Certification
Overview: Advanced level of cyber security certification.
Assessment: On-site assessment and vulnerability testing.
Scope: Includes everything in Cyber Essentials plus additional technical testing.
Certification: Involves a more rigorous assessment process, including vulnerability scanning.
Cost: Higher due to the additional testing and assessment.
3 Steps How to Prepare for Cyber Essentials Certification
During the webinar, actionable steps were outlined to help businesses prepare for their Cyber Essentials certification:
1. Implement Security Measures: Before applying for certification, firms should ensure that they have the necessary cybersecurity measures in place. This means configuring firewalls, setting up user access controls and securing all devices with malware protection.
2. Complete the Cyber Essentials Self-Assessment: The certification process begins with a self-assessment questionnaire. This is a straightforward process where businesses evaluate their own systems against the five key technical controls outlined by Cyber Essentials.
3. Regularly Backup Data: As part of your cybersecurity strategy, always back up your data regularly, test the backups and store them in secure locations.
Cyber Essentials offers a practical and effective framework for protecting companies from the growing number of cyber threats. Whether you are a small local business or a larger business, Cyber Essentials certification can bolster your defence, increase client confidence, and even unlock access to free cyber insurance.
If you want to get your Cyber Essentials certification, book a free meeting with Jason to help you through the process.
