Cybercriminals in these days pose a serious threat to organisations of all sizes due to the frequency and sophistication of their attacks. Organisations are constantly bombarded with various threats, ranging from phishing scams to ransomware attacks. These threats can result in data breaches, financial losses, and damage to their reputation. In order to address these potential risks, the UK government introduced Cyber Essentials, a certification programme designed to help businesses to to protect themselves against common cyber threats. Cyber Essentials is a framework for security, and here we will go over how it works, the controls it requires, and the advantages of getting certified.
What Are Cyber Essentials?
Cyber Essentials is a certification programme backed by the UK government that helps organisations of all kinds stay safe online from common cyber threats. Cyber Essentials, launched as part of the UK’s National Cyber Security Strategy, offers a clear framework for improving cybersecurity through five critical technical controls. Its major goal is to provide basic protection from the most common internet-based threats.
The certification is divided into two levels: Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus.
Cyber Essentials
This is the most basic level of certification, requiring an organisation to complete a self-assessment against the five technological controls.Following that, an external certification body independently verifies the assessment. This level is perfect for organisations seeking to implement basic cybersecurity measures and develop a clear understanding of their cybersecurity posture.
Cyber Essentials Plus
Cyber Essentials Plus takes the assessment to a higher level, with a more thorough evaluation that includes an independent vulnerability scan and an on-site assessment conducted by a qualified assessor. Cyber Essentials Plus provides a greater level of assurance and is ideal for organisations seeking a more comprehensive evaluation of their cybersecurity practices.
Which Cyber Threats Does Cyber Essentials Address?
Cyber Essentials is designed to address a variety of common cyber threats, such as:
Phishing Attacks
Phishing attacks involve cybercriminals trying to deceive individuals into disclosing sensitive information, like usernames, passwords, or financial details. These attacks usually take the form of deceiving emails or messages that seem to be from trustworthy sources. Cyber Essentials effectively addresses phishing threats by emphasising the importance of secure email configurations and providing education to employees on how to identify and report suspicious emails.
Malware Infections
Malware, or malicious software, is intended to penetrate and damage computer systems. Malware is classified into four types: viruses, worms, Trojan horses, and spyware. Malware, once installed, can steal valuable information, disrupt system operations, and allow unauthorised access to the networks. Cyber Essentials assists organisations in detecting and preventing malware infections by applying severe malware safety measures such as up-to-date anti-virus software and real-time scanning.
Ransomware
Ransomware, a malicious software, encrypts the files of its victims and then demands a payment in exchange for the decryption key. These attacks can have a severe impact, causing substantial data loss and disrupting operations. Cyber Essentials tackles ransomware threats by implementing secure configuration practices, regularly managing patches, and establishing strong backup strategies. This guarantees that organisations can restore their data without having to give in to ransom demands.
How Do the Five Technical Controls Work?
The Cyber Essentials certification focuses on five essential technical controls: secure configuration, boundary firewalls and internet gateways, access control and administrative privilege management, patch management, and malware protection. These controls are designed to provide a strong defence against common cyber threats, making them accessible and easy to use for users of all levels of experience.
Configuring for Security
Ensuring secure configuration involves the setup of systems and software to minimise vulnerabilities. It is crucial to take this aspect seriously. This includes disabling any unnecessary features, setting unique passwords, and making sure only authorised users can access the systems. Properly configuring devices can significantly reduce the risk of cyber attacks for organisations.
Firewalls and Internet Gateways
Boundary firewalls and internet gateways have been tailored to offer a high level of protection against various cyber threats. They are responsible for overseeing and managing the flow of network traffic, assuring that it follows the established security protocols.This feature enhances security measures by preventing unauthorised access and effectively blocking harmful traffic, thereby ensuring that the organisation is well-protected against external attacks.
Access Control and Administrative Privilege Management
Access control is intended to restrict access to specific systems and data, so only authorised users gain entry. It entails creating user accounts with appropriate permissions and reviewing those permissions on a frequent basis. The best way to protect against internal threats and lessen the impact of a compromised account is to manage administrative privileges effectively.
Managing Patches
Keeping software and systems secure and up-to-date requires an understanding of patch management. Organisations must consistently update their firmware, operating systems, and applications with the latest security patches in order to meet the Cyber Essentials requirements. It is important to update software on a regular basis to protect it from potential attacks that exploit known vulnerabilities.
Protecting Against Malware
Malware protection requires the implementation of measures to detect and prevent malware infections. It is important to use the latest anti-virus software, enable real-time scanning of files and emails, and regularly update malware definitions. Efficient malware protection assists organisations in detecting and neutralising harmful software to prevent any potential damage. When protecting against data breaches and operational disruptions caused by malware, this control is essential.
What Are the Benefits of Cyber Essentials Certification?
Getting certified in Cyber Essentials has many benefits for organisations, including:
Improved Security: By implementing the five controls, the risk of cyber threats is greatly reduced.
Business Credibility: Building trust with clients and partners is demonstrated through certification, which demonstrates a commitment to cybersecurity and business credibility.
Regulatory Compliance: Cyber Essentials certification is highly valued by various regulatory frameworks.
Competitive Advantage: One of the benefits of being certified is that it allows organisations to stand out from their competitors by showing their strong cybersecurity credentials.
How Can Organisations Obtain Cyber Essentials Certification?
Here is an overview of the process.
Self-Assessment Questionnaire: Organisations start by filling out a self-assessment questionnaire that includes the five key controls. This highlights any gaps in existing cybersecurity measures.
Certification Body: Choose an accredited certification body from the IASME Consortium, which collaborates with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to provide Cyber Essentials certification.
Internal Review and Remediation: Conduct an internal review to verify the presence of all necessary controls. Be sure that any gaps in your system are addressed, including updating software, configuring firewalls, and adjusting access controls.
Submission and Review: Submit the completed questionnaire to the certification body for evaluation.
Certification Decision: If the questionnaire meets all the necessary criteria, the organisation will be granted Cyber Essentials certification. In order to obtain Cyber Essentials Plus certification, an extra technical audit is necessary.
Costs
Cyber Essentials: usually costs between £300 and £500.
Cyber Essentials Plus: Depending on the extent of the technical audit, it starts at about £1,500.
Final Steps
After obtaining certification, it is critical to regularly upkeep and review cybersecurity practices. Cyber threats are constantly evolving, and maintaining compliance with Cyber Essentials standards helps to ensure ongoing protection against these threats. Regular updates, employee training, and security measure reviews will all contribute to a strong cybersecurity posture.
Lucidica’s expert team helps businesses complete the self-assessment questionnaire and achieve Cyber Essentials certification. We ensure that all necessary requirements are up-to-date and that Cyber Essentials compliance is maintained. For more information, contact us today.
