Cyber Essentials, endorsed by the UK National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), is a baseline standard in cyber security, helping to prevent the most common attacks by implementing five basic network controls and practicing good cyber hygiene.
The Scottish Business Resilience Centre (SBRC) is urging Scottish-based small and medium enterprises and third sector charities to apply for vouchers up to £1000 to help them finance the certification, as part of a £500,000 investment by the Scottish Government.
Graham Bye, Scottish Cybersecurity Information Sharing Partnership (CiSP) and Cyber Essentials Coordinator at Stirling-based SBRC said: “All businesses and organisations, no matter how small, are a potential target, particularly if they do not take simple precautionary measures to protect themselves.“Any company with an IT network could be at risk of an attack and computerised systems – payroll, marketing, booking systems and databases, for example, could all be compromised.
“Cyber attacks are also a real risk to the third sector; from a small, locally run playgroup which holds a database of personal details, to larger charities delivering services to vulnerable adults. Having a Cyber Essentials badge shows your customers and clients that you take cyber security seriously and that you can and will protect your organisation against common cyber threats.”
