Cyber attacks aren’t just a problem for large companies, as even smaller businesses, charities, schools, and even local authorities are often targeted. Moreover, many don’t realise they’re exposed until it’s too late.
If you’re unsure how secure your systems are, understanding the basics of cyber essentials is a great place to start. These five key controls are designed to protect against the most common cyber threats. Keep reading to find out how these five simple controls could protect your business from everyday threats.
Why This Certification Matters
The Cyber Essentials certification scheme is backed by the UK government. It sets a clear standard for basic cyber security, giving you a simple framework to follow and reducing the chance of a costly breach.
Getting these controls in place helps build trust with clients and suppliers while improving your organisation’s resilience. The best part is that you don’t need to be an IT expert to understand or apply them.
1. Secure Your Internet Connection
Everything starts with how you connect to the internet. A poorly configured router or firewall can leave gaps for attackers to slip through. This control ensures your connection is locked down and only allows the right traffic in and out.
Think of it like securing the front door to your building. If left open, anyone could wander in. A firewall does the same job online as it protects your internal systems from unwanted access.
2. Safe Setup of Devices and Software
When you get new devices, how they’re set up matters. This control covers default settings, unused features, and password security. It also means using software that’s still supported and regularly updated.
Letting users install whatever they like or keeping old apps running makes your system harder to manage and easier to break into. By setting up devices carefully from the start, you avoid issues later on.
3. Control Who Can Access What
This cyber essentials control is about managing permissions. Every person should have access to only what they need for their role, because shared accounts or overly broad access are common weak points. You also need to update or remove access when someone changes jobs or leaves. Doing this well makes your business less vulnerable and easier to monitor.
4. Stop Malware Before It Starts
Malware includes viruses, spyware, and ransomware, which can cause serious damage, especially if your defences are weak. This control checks whether you use basic protection tools like antivirus software or web filters.
You should also stop unauthorised apps from being installed. If a user can download anything, it’s much harder to prevent a mistake from spreading quickly.
5. Stay Updated
Software updates fix problems, some of them serious. That’s why this control looks at how fast you apply updates across your systems. Automatic updates are useful, but it’s important to check they’re working. Even one outdated device can become a target. Staying on top of this task helps keep every system running securely.
Wrap Up
Applying these five controls makes your organisation harder to attack and quicker to recover. It’s a smart, affordable way to take charge of your security. Start reviewing your systems today and see what gaps you can close.
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