CNC successfully retain Cyber Essentials accreditation
As we enter the second half of 2022, CNC has successfully
retained its Cyber Essentials credentials. Whilst this accreditation
is not a legal requirement - not yet anyway, what it does say about
your business though, is that we subscribe to a set of IT security
values, that guard our organisation against cyber attacks.
What is Cyber Essentials?
Essentially, Cyber Essentials is a government-backed
scheme. Whatever size company you are, having attained the credential,
signals to other businesses, government agencies and cybercriminals
of course, that your business has protected itself against a vast
range of the most common internet-based cyber attacks. It is also
backed by the Federation of Small Business and the Confederation
of British Industry.
Cyber Essentials is a self-assessed online and
independently verified certification. There are some seventy questions,
divided into eight sections. Once the form is completed, a qualified
assessor will verify the information. Then, a board member of the
applying company must then sign the document, to confirm that all
the information is true.
Who needs Cyber Essentials?
The short answer is everyone. In a world where
a cybercriminal can operate from literally anywhere and assault
your business, with any manner of viruses, or DDoS attacks to name
but a few; having the accreditation acts as a significant deterrent
to cybercriminals.
With Cyber Essentials, you will be protecting your
business against at least 80% of the most common cyber attacks.
The certification is there to give business owners who achieve it,
peace of mind in the basics of cyber protection. The scope of the
Self-Assessment Questionnaire covers the following:
- Controlling user and administrative accounts
- Malware protection
- Keeping software and devices up to date
- Maintaining the security configuration of your computer equipment
- Using internet gateways and office firewalls
The main areas for protection will be: guarding against the likes
of phishing and ransomware attacks, by choosing good passwords,
keeping your software updated, making sure that whoever has access
to your network infrastructure is on a need-to-use basis, installing
the right kind of anti-malware and virus applications, by configuring
your routers and setting your firewalls correctly.
The IASME Consortium (Information Assurance for Small and Medium
Enterprises Consortium) has prepared a list of questions designed
to help you think about cyber security. Questions
| Readiness (iasme.co.uk) It is a useful tool to help you develop
your action plan. Also, your business will be listed on the National
Cyber Security Centre’s (NCSC’s) directory. Furthermore,
the certificate comes with cyber insurance, which has a £25,000
limit of indemnity, should your business come under cyber attack.
Cyber Essentials Plus
According to the Government’s Cyber Security
Breach Survey of 2021, micro and small businesses have shelled out
a hefty £8,460 in ransom fees to cyber-criminals. That’s
a 249% increase on £2,340 back in 2020. If you really want
to ramp up your protection because you may not have any other cyber
security instruments in place, then you can apply for Cyber Essentials
Plus which reaches a higher level of validation.
You will need a complete audit of your IT infrastructure
(which will look at external vulnerabilities, as well as an internal
scan of systems). This can only be carried out by a certification
partner. The whole process requires an on-site visit and an independent
confirmation that you meet the standard. Further information on
our range of Security Services is here.
Our shiny new website is now live. It has lots of new bells and
whistles on it, to say the least. We took all your comments and
good ideas over the years and we have piled them all into the new
site. All of the services that we provide are on there, with lots
of detailed information as to how they can benefit your business.
At CNC, we understand that every IT problem and delay you face
as a business has a direct impact on your bottom line. No one wins
when your computers, software, or tech is down, which is why we
use a people strategy to fix things.
We are lucky enough to have some of the best IT support engineers
in the business and, they really care. So, whenever IT problems
come your way, call us straight away so that we can manage them
fast, effectively and on a budget so that you can get back to business.
We’ve provided a lot of great support for our customer’s
IT. Case Studies - Case
Studies - CNC (cnc-ltd.co.uk) Often has been the case, that
we have stopped the IT tail wagging the dog, with effective solutions
that stop downtime and reduce your IT stress.
Also, have a look inside the Portal: It is so much easier to use
and navigate. “It’s a lot more intuitive and well laid
out”, has been the main feedback. We are happy to hear from
you, with your feedback and questions you might have. Please do
not hesitate to call us on 01273 384100 or email sales@cnc-ltd.co.uk. | 
