Obviously, as computers and internet connections are relied on for more parts of a business’ operation – sales, billing, admin etc. – and more information is sent and stored on devices (and the Cloud), even smaller businesses can hold incredibly valuable customer information.
That’s why the Government launched the Cyber Essentials programme…
What is Cyber Essentials?
Cyber Essentials is a group of accreditations that show customers and partners that you take your data responsibilities seriously, and have the right protections in place to keep data safe.
The easiest to gain is Cyber Essentials, which is self-assessed, and Cyber Essentials + takes the required protections further, while also requiring an external audit to independently verify the safeguards.
What does Cyber Essentials require?
To achieve your Cyber Essentials accreditation, you need to put the right systems and processes in place across five aspects of your business:
Malware protection
Ensuring devices – laptops, PCs, phones and tablets – are all protected against malware attacks by installing specific software on them that checks for, and removes, malware.
Firewall
Firewalls can be virtual or physical devices that act as a ‘buffer zone’ between your computer and the internet, only allowing data to pass through the firewall that has been verified as safe.
Password-based authentication
Devices and systems, as well as user logins, must all be protected by passwords and comply with security standards – no more ‘abc12345’s for you!
User access control
You’ll need to limit account permissions, so that staff only have access to settings needed for their role. This ensures staff can’t make changes or access information on systems they’re not familiar with, or have no need to access – preventing accidental and purposeful threats.
Secure configuration
The ‘factory settings’, that come pre-installed on many devices, leave them open to hacking. Changing those settings for hardware and software to ensure cyber criminals can’t gain access to your network or data.
Why work with Mooncomputers?
With over two decades of experience, we know the settings that need changing like the back of our hand, as well as the processes you need to have in place – after all we’ve been through the accreditation ourselves!
Plus, we’ll work to your needs, no matter how hands-on or hands-off you want us to be:
We can help in three ways:
Cyber Essentials Solo
(No Support)
If you’re confident you can pass without support, we’ll simply send you the question set to submit when you’re ready. You will have ‘one free fail’ but it’s important to note that if you fail a second time, you’ll have to pay re-certification costs.
Cyber Essentials Guided
(Email Support)
You’ll receive assessment and remedial guidance from our experts via email, along with a range of educational help guides, to give you the best chances for a first-time pass. You’ll still get the ‘one free fail’ too.
Cyber Essentials Managed
(Video Support)
For the best chances of passing first-time, you can take advantage of direct, real-time support from our experts over a video call as you complete the questionnaire. This option offers the fastest method of certification and the least chance of failure.
So if you want the speediest way to get your Cyber Essentials accreditation, win more UK tenders, and reduce your Cybersecurity risk by 80%, then get in touch today, and we’ll be with you at every step of the process!
