How the Cyber Essentials scheme can benefit your business

Business Watch, run by Warwickshire County Council, and created in partnership with Warwickshire Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner, exists to raise awareness of the escalating threat of cyber-crime.

In his latest regular contribution to Warwickshire Means Business, Alex Williams, business crime advisor for Warwickshire Business Watch, explains the benefits of the Cyber Essentials scheme.

In the last issue of Warwickshire Means Business I discussed some general top tips regarding your business’ security.

This time I'd like to talk about the Cyber Essentials scheme and how it can help you keep your business safe from the rising threat of cyber-attack.

In line with the Government’s 'Ten steps to Cyber Security', Cyber Essentials is a Government-backed scheme encouraging businesses to review their cyber security. It is for all organisations of all sizes and all sectors of business.

Cyber Essentials Basic and Cyber Essentials PLUS both cover five areas: Secure configuration, boundary firewalls and internet gateways, access controls, patch (update), management and Malware protection.

Cyber Essentials Basic

Cyber Essentials Basic requires the organisation to complete a self-assessment questionnaire and have it signed off by the CEO of the business - then the response is independently reviewed by a certifying body.

Cyber Essentials PLUS

Cyber Essentials PLUS offers a higher level of assurance through the external testing of the organisation’s cyber security approach. Cyber Essentials Plus comprises remote and on-site vulnerability testing to check whether the controls claimed actually defend against basic hacking and phishing attacks.

What are the benefits?

• Security measures in place to address any vulnerabilities identified.
• Cyber Liability Insurance included.
• Access to exclusive contracts, mandatory for central Government contracts since October 2014, which involve handling personal information and providing certain ICT products and services. (also, as of October 2015, mandatory for all Ministry of Defence contracts).

What are the costs involved?

Cyber Essentials documents are free to download and can be used to either attain Cyber Essentials or to simply self-assess and apply the appropriate controls. In order to gain the certifications and use of the badge, Cyber Essentials basic costs £300 but Cyber Essentials PLUS varies depending on the size of the business as this will impact on the amount of testing to be done.

If you would like more information on Cyber Essentials please contact the Business Crime Advisor on alexcharleswilliams@warwickshire.gov.uk or 0792 081 4897.

Our website, www.warwickshirebusinesswatch.co.uk, and twitter account @WarksBusiness are now in full flow providing an array of information for businesses. The alert system has been updated which allows for messages to be sent immediately and possesses a range of additional features including maps. In order to continue to receive alerts or if you’d like to start to receive them, please visit the Warwickshire Business Watch website and follow the link to sign up.

Also remember to visit the Warwickshire Business Watch website for a wide r\ange of advice sheets, useful links and events.