Getting the Basics Right: Preparing Your Business for a Cyber Certification

The modern, digitally-powered world of business offers unprecedented opportunities – but it comes with big risks as well. Cyberattacks are a growing problem, not only in number but also in technological sophistication, and it’s essential to be on your guard.

Obtaining cybersecurity certifications is a critical step, therefore, for businesses looking to protect sensitive data and keep it out of the wrong hands. It also helps to reassure and build trust with clients and partners, demonstrating that your organisation is serious about cybersecurity.

There are various cybersecurity standards to consider, however. This guide will walk you through the main standards – Cyber Essentials, Cyber Baseline, IASME Cyber Assurance and ISO 27001 – and the foundational steps you need to take towards robust cybersecurity.

Understanding Cybersecurity Certifications

Cybersecurity certifications validate your organisation’s ability to manage and protect sensitive data effectively. Different certifications serve varying purposes, and understanding their nuances helps you understand how they can benefit your business. Here are the certifications you need to know:

Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus: This UK government-backed certification is intended to help SMEs protect themselves against cybersecurity risks. The basic Cyber Essentials standard focuses on implementing basic security controls such as malware protection and anti-phishing measures. Organisations which have attained Cyber Essentials certification can then progress to the more advanced Cyber Essentials Plus standard. Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus are often prerequisites when tendering for contracts, including in the public sector.
Cyber Baseline: The IASME Cyber Baseline is an international certification scheme designed to address essential cyber security measures for organisations outside the UK. This standard provides a standardised and respected certification for global supply chains, demonstrating that these organisations have implemented crucial cyber hygiene practices.
IASME Cyber Assurance: This comprehensive standard covers not only cybersecurity but also GDPR compliance and business continuity. It is designed for SMEs needing an affordable but robust and comprehensive approach to managing data security.
ISO 27001: Recognised globally, ISO 27001 involves the implementation of an information security management system (ISMS) and demonstrates your organisation’s ability to manage security risks systematically. It is often sought by organisations operating in highly regulated industries or dealing with highly sensitive data.

Establishing Cybersecurity Policy and Procedures

Policies and procedures are the foundation of strong cybersecurity. They not only ensure consistent practices but help each member of the team understand their responsibilities with regard to keeping data safe. Here are the core foundations of a robust cybersecurity policy.

Access control: Define who has access to sensitive data and systems and outline the approval process for granting access. Limit access based on roles and responsibilities to reduce insider threats.
Incident response plans: Prepare for potential breaches with a comprehensive plan outlining how your organisation will detect, respond to and recover from cybersecurity incidents. Ensure this plan has clear communication protocols and assigns roles and responsibilities.
Acceptable use: Establish guidelines for how employees can use company resources such as email, internet and work devices. Educate staff on acceptable behaviour and the consequences of policy violations.
Backup and recovery procedures: Implement a robust backup strategy to protect critical data from loss. Document recovery procedures to ensure swift restoration of operations in the event of an incident.

Securing Your IT Infrastructure

A secure IT infrastructure is an absolute must-have for achieving cybersecurity certifications. This not only protects your organisation against threats but also ensures compliance with the relevant standards. This includes the following:

Network security: Deploy firewalls to monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic. Use secure VPNs for remote access and implement intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS) to identify and block malicious activity.
Endpoint protection: Secure all devices connected to your network with antivirus software, encryption and regular patching. Endpoint detection and response (EDR) systems can provide advanced protection against sophisticated attacks.
Access management: Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) to secure accounts and restrict access to sensitive systems or files. Regularly review and update permissions so that employees only have access to the resources they need, and nothing more.
Cloud security: If your organisation uses cloud services, ensure compliance with security best practices such as encrypting data in transit and at rest, as well as monitoring access logs for any unusual activity.

Regular Monitoring and Testing

Achieving a cybersecurity certification is not the end of your cybersecurity journey – not by a long way. In fact, regular monitoring and testing are indispensable to maintain security standards and remain compliant; think of this as like a regular MOT, giving your systems the once-over every so often to catch any problems sooner. Here’s more on what this involves.

Vulnerability scanning: Schedule routine scans to identify vulnerabilities as they arise; this way, they can be addressed sooner, reducing any risk of breaches. Automated tools can streamline this process and provide actionable insights.
Penetration testing: Periodic testing – preferably monthly – simulates cyberattacks to uncover weaknesses in your defences. Addressing weaknesses uncovered through pen testing again reduces the risk of exploitation.
Log monitoring: Analyse system and network logs for signs of suspicious activity. Security information and event management (SIEM) tools can automate this process and provide real-time alerts.
Patch management: Regularly update software and systems to protect against known cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Develop a patch management policy to ensure timely updates without disrupting your organisation’s operations.

Conclusion

Working towards cybersecurity standards requires ongoing vigilance and a good understanding of the wider security landscape. Certification is not just about meeting a standard at a particular moment in time – it’s a matter of ensuring that your organisation remains on its toes.

Collaborating with a cybersecurity partner, like Cyber Tec Security, can help you meet certification standards and continue to uphold them. To find out more about how we can guide you through the certification process, get in touch with our team today.