Why Cyber Accreditation Matters For Your Business Reputation
Cybersecurity is a non-negotiable element of any business IT infrastructure, and it is crucial for businesses to have a robust system in place.
Here at Bee IT Solutions, we can offer a range of comprehensive cyber security compliance services, including the opportunity to become Cyber Essentials certified and listed on the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) directory.
What is cyber security accreditation?
Cyber Essentials is a government backed scheme that is designed to protect your business or organisation from the most common forms of cyber attack. It’s administered by the NCSC, and they explain that the vast majority of cyberattacks are basic and carried out by unskilled individuals, rather like opportunistic thieves who try front doors to see if they are unlocked.
The certification will safeguard basic vulnerabilities, which makes it much less likely that cyber criminals will identify your business as a potential target for a more sophisticated attack.
The Cyber Essentials certification involves a comprehensive assessment of your current cybersecurity needs and vulnerabilities, followed by the implementation of security measures in compliance with best practices and recognised industry standards.
These include installing the latest antivirus and antimalware software; updating all software and hardware with the latest security patches; establishing if the necessary firewalls are in place; implementing access control measures to reduce the risk of unauthorised access to data; and testing the robustness of the system configuration.
What are the benefits of Cyber Essentials certification?
Guarding against data breaches
Cyber Essentials certification will significantly mitigate against the risks of security breaches that could allow criminals access to sensitive data. This will mean that your business is better protected from leaks of information that could lead to financial losses and serious damage to the reputation of your organisation, and possibly even legal action.
Building trusted relationships with clients
Clients are now very well informed about cyber security risks, as it’s something that most of us now have to navigate in our own careers and personal administration tasks. Therefore, it’s important to demonstrate your cyber integrity and trustworthiness to potential clients.
A recognised accreditation such as Cyber Essentials certification is visible evidence of your commitment to safeguarding customer data. This helps you to build up trust with your clients, encouraging them to engage with your services and maintain long-term relationships.
Legal compliance
The UK and Europe are subject to strict data protection regulations, which are designed to protect sensitive data of clients and individuals, and breaches of these regulations are taken very seriously. To avoid a financial penalty or even a prison sentence, it’s important to ensure that your business operates within the legal framework at all times.
The cyber accreditation can help your business to remain compliant with the requirements of the GDPR, safeguarding your operations and providing peace of mind for your clients and business partners.
Remaining competitive
The business landscape is increasingly competitive, and evidence of cybersecurity certification demonstrates your commitment to high standards and professionalism. This can mean the difference between a client choosing to give their business to you over a rival.
The Cyber Essentials certification can also open the door to a wider range of business opportunities, especially if you are keen to secure contracts with large organisations. Indeed, if you want to work with many government agencies, Cyber Essentials certification is a prerequisite.
Therefore it’s best to be well prepared so that you are in a position to take advantage of any opportunities that come your way. Furthermore, the certification can give your business access to lower insurance premiums because it is evidence of enhanced protection from cyberattacks.
In the event that you do fall victim to a cyberattack, the certification will ensure that it is easier to maintain business continuity and minimise the disruption to daily operations.
More efficient IT infrastructure
The accreditation process involves a thorough assessment of your IT infrastructure, and this can highlight any weaknesses or bugs in the system that have been making it sluggish and inefficient. It might identify outdated software that needs to be replaced or updated, helping to create a more streamlined and efficient IT infrastructure that boosts productivity.
Overall brand image and reputation
Finally, cybersecurity accreditation shows that your business is willing to be transparent and accountable in their dealings with clients, and maintains high security standards. This fosters confidence and builds trust and stronger relationships, potentially attracting larger high value clients.
By working together, we can help your business navigate the accreditation process, and create a culture of continuous improvement with regular reviews and updates.
