Why cyber security matters for your business
Did you know that Cyber Essentials certified businesses are 92% less likely to make a claim on their cyber insurance than those without a certification?
Cyber security has never been more important, with one small business in the UK being hacked successfully every 19 seconds. By putting measures to deter these attacks in place, (i.e. getting Cyber Essentials certified), you are ensuring that your organisation has the most common threats covered, whilst demonstrating to customers and potential partners that you take cyber security seriously.
In this blog, we quickly cover the different ways Cyber Essentials protects your business.
Keeping your devices safe and sound
The first step to protecting your business is controlling who can access your devices and systems; Cyber Essentials requires measures like strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, and managed user permissions to reduce the risk of unauthorised access.
Whether it’s a laptop, mobile phone or shared office computer, limiting access helps prevent both accidental and malicious breaches, keeping your sensitive data secure.
A safer internet for you and your team
An unsecured internet connection can leave your business very vulnerable. Cyber Essentials ensures your network is protected using secure, encrypted Wi-Fi, regular firmware updates and strong router configurations.
Firewalls provide an essential layer of defence by filtering traffic to block harmful connections before they reach your systems – both hardware and software firewalls should be active, properly configured and regularly updated. At Resolve, we recommend a SonicWALL, which protect networks from threats like hackers, malware and unauthorised access. To find out more, visit our Managed Firewall Services page.
Filling the gaps with security patches
Patching refers to the process of updating software or systems to fix vulnerabilities, improve performance or adding new features. Cyber Essentials helps businesses stay ahead of security vulnerabilities by requiring routine patching of software and operating systems. Think of patching like repairing a hole in your roof – if you don’t fix it quickly, the rain (hackers), can get in and cause damage.
Keeping out nasty software
A successful malware attack can really throw your business off track, locking you out of important files and causing unexpected downtime. It might also damage your reputation if customer data is involved, and lead to financial setbacks from recovery costs or lost work.
Cyber Essentials requires effective malware protection, which includes antivirus, anti-ransomware and other tools designed to detect and block malicious software. By using up-to-date security software and monitoring for suspicious behaviour, you can stop malware in its tracks, protecting both your data and your reputation.
Secure configuration: Safe settings = safer business
Secure configuration is all about how your device and software is set up. Default settings often leave systems more vulnerable to attack, so Cyber Essentials helps by disabling unnecessary features, changing default credentials, and applying strong access controls.
This minimises the number of potential entry points, making it significantly harder for cybercriminals to exploit your systems.
Peace of mind and business benefits
Cyber Essentials is more than just a certification; it is a proven framework that helps you put strong, practical defences in place.
By focussing on these five key areas, you reduce your risk of attack, demonstrate credibility to clients and partners, and improve your eligibility for cyber insurance.
Ultimately, Cyber Essentials gives you peace of mind that your business has the right foundations in place to stay secure in today’s digital world. At Resolve, we can help assist you in getting Cyber Essentials certified. Find out more.
To strengthen your defences even further, it’s also worth considering an additional layer of protection, like RCS, a solution developed specifically with SMEs in mind.