Lock the Digital Door: How Cyber Essentials Protects Your Business

Many business leaders say they know cyber security is important. They see the headlines. They know cyber-attacks are increasing. But too many still believe it might not affect them.

That assumption is wrong. 

No matter the size of your business, cyber criminals can find it: 1 in 2 UK small businesses suffered a cyber-attack last year. 

The gap between awareness and action is one of the biggest cyber risks facing UK small and medium enterprises (SMEs) today. Many SME owners don’t see themselves as attractive targets. There’s a lingering sense that cyber criminals are only interested in global brands or large organisations. 

In reality, most cyber attackers don’t care about company size or brand recognition. They look for opportunity and weaknesses, not logos. If your defences are poor and your systems are exposed, your business is vulnerable, and the consequences can be devastating.

At the National Cyber Security Centre, their message is clear: cyber security can no longer be treated as optional. You don’t need to be a cyber expert. But you do need to take responsibility, which is where the NCSC offers a practical solution: Cyber Essentials.

Cyber Essentials certification helps UK organisations protect against the most common cyber threats, by ensuring basic security controls are in place. Most cyber-attacks are very basic in nature, like a thief checking for an unlocked door, and Cyber Essentials helps keep it shut.

Too many SMEs still haven’t taken these initial steps- cyber risk is now business risk, just like a fire or theft. Your organisation wouldn’t operate without physical security or insurance and leaving basic cyber protections undone is no different. Secure your business with Cyber Essentials, the Government-backed certification scheme from the experts at the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).

Cyber Essentials is highly effective: 92% fewer cyber insurance claims are made by organisations with Cyber Essentials certification in place, and certification is mandatory for many public and private sector contracts.

Get started for free: 

• Book 30 minutes free with a cyber advisor to discuss your path to certification 

• Assess if your business is ready for certification with the free Readiness Tool 

• Download example certification assessment questions

  
  

No business is out of reach. Find out more: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/cyberessentials/overview