Previously on the blog, we provided a comprehensive introduction to the Cyber Essentials scheme, highlighting its crucial role in bolstering cyber security for Leicester SMBs. We discussed the benefits of certification, including enhancing your business’s resilience against cyber threats, building customer trust, and improving operational efficiency.
Today, we’ll take a deeper dive into the specific layers of the Cyber Essentials program, offering an in-depth look at each component. Stay tuned as we unveil the common pitfalls you might be guilty of, along with some actionable insights to help your business better align with the scheme.
A Recap on the Foundation of Cyber Essentials for SMBs
As a quick refresher, Cyber Essentials is a UK government-backed initiative designed to help organisations defend against the most common cyber threats.
It’s structured around five core technical controls: firewalls, secure configuration, security update management, user access control, and malware protection.
Each of these elements forms a critical layer in a comprehensive cyber security strategy, and understanding where SMBs often falter in implementing these controls is essential to achieving certification.
Cyber Security for Leicester SMBs: Where Businesses Go Wrong
- Lack of Awareness: Business owners and managers may not fully understand the importance of certain security practices, leading to gaps in their cyber defences.
- Overconfidence: On the other end of the spectrum, some businesses assume that because they’ve never experienced a significant cyber incident, their current measures are sufficient. This complacency can lead to overlooked vulnerabilities.
- Resource Constraints: Many SMBs operate with limited resources, making it seem challenging to implement and maintain robust cyber security measures. But solutions that are both accessible and comprehensive are out there—you just have to take the time to look.
Let’s jump into the five layers and the scheme’s recommendations for each.
- Firewalls and Internet Gateways: The First Line of Defence
Firewalls are your business’s primary defence against unauthorised access. Despite their importance, many Leicester SMBs fail to properly configure or maintain their firewalls, leaving their networks vulnerable.
Common pitfalls include:
- Default Settings: Many businesses rely on default firewall settings, which may not be configured for optimal security.
- Outdated Firewalls: Failing to update firewall software or hardware can lead to vulnerabilities that cyber criminals can exploit.
- Inadequate Monitoring: Without regular monitoring, you might not notice when firewalls falter or are breached.
Cyber Essentials Recommendations: To align with Cyber Essentials for SMBs, ensure that your firewalls are properly configured to block unauthorised traffic while allowing necessary communication. Regularly update and audit your firewall settings to reflect any changes in your network. Additionally, consider implementing both boundary and host-based firewalls for comprehensive coverage. This extra attention is essential for protecting your Leicester business from the ever-growing minefield of cyber threats.
- Secure Configuration: Minimising Vulnerabilities
Out-of-the-box software and hardware configurations are rarely optimised for security. Misconfigurations often provide cyber criminals with easy entry points into your network.
Common pitfalls include:
- Unused Services: Leaving unnecessary services running can create additional attack surfaces.
- Default Passwords: Default usernames and passwords are widely known and easily exploited. ‘admin’ is one of the most common login credentials worldwide.
- Lack of Regular Audits: Many SMBs neglect regular reviews of their configurations, leading to outdated or insecure settings.
Cyber Essentials Recommendations:
- Disable any services or functions that aren’t essential to your business operations.
- Replace default credentials with strong, unique passwords for all devices and software.
- Conduct regular audits to ensure your configurations remain secure over time.
This proactive approach will significantly strengthen your defensive posture, reducing the risk of exploitation by cyber criminals.
- Security Update Management: Patching the Weak Spots
Keeping software, firmware, and operating systems up-to-date is crucial for closing security gaps. Most businesses know this, yet many fail to implement a suitable update management strategy.
Common pitfalls include:
- Delayed Updates: Waiting too long to apply updates can leave your systems exposed to known vulnerabilities.
- Manual Processes: Relying on manual updates increases the likelihood of human error and—intentionally or not—missed patches.
- Unsupported Software: Running outdated or unsupported software that no longer receives security updates can be a major risk.
Cyber Essentials Recommendations: Enable automatic updates wherever possible to ensure security patches are applied promptly. Regularly review all your software and hardware to confirm they’re supported and up-to-date. If, for some reason, automated updates aren’t feasible, establish a strict schedule for manual updates.
- User Access Control: Limiting Exposure
Controlling who has access to your systems and data is a cornerstone of cyber security for Leicester SMBs. Improper user access control can lead to accidental or intentional breaches from within.
Common pitfalls include:
- Over-Privileged Accounts: Granting users more access than necessary increases the risk of internal threats.
- Inactive Accounts: Failing to remove or deactivate accounts for former employees can leave your business vulnerable.
- Infrequent Reviews: Without regular reviews, access rights may become outdated, leading to unnecessary exposure.
Cyber Essentials Recommendations:
- Apply the principle of least privilege, ensuring that users only have access to the systems and data they need to perform their roles.
- Regularly audit user accounts, especially after staff changes, to remove or update access rights as necessary.
Implementing strong user access controls with the help of cyber security support in Leicester is essential for safeguarding sensitive information and maintaining the integrity of your systems.
- Malware Protection: Defending Against Digital Invaders
Malware is a pervasive threat that can lead to data breaches, financial losses, and reputational damage. Many SMBs struggle with implementing effective malware protection strategies.
Common pitfalls include:
- Inadequate Antivirus Software: Using outdated or insufficient antivirus solutions can leave your systems vulnerable.
- Lack of Employee Training: Employees who are unaware of phishing tactics and other common attack vectors are more likely to inadvertently introduce malware.
- No Multi-Layered Approach: Relying solely on antivirus software without additional layers of protection can be risky.
Cyber Essentials Recommendations: Invest in robust antivirus software and ensure that it’s kept updated with the latest virus definitions. Educate your employees about the dangers of phishing and other forms of social engineering to reduce the likelihood of malware infections. Consider implementing additional layers of defence, like email filtering and intrusion detection systems. These measures are critical components of a comprehensive cyber security strategy for Leicester SMBs.
Enhance Your Cyber Security with Cyber Essentials
As we’ve explored, each layer of the Cyber Essentials scheme plays a vital role in protecting your Leicester business from cyber threats. Achieving certification isn’t just about ticking boxes, though—it’s about embedding these practices into the fabric of your business operations to create a culture of security.
View Cyber Essentials not as a burdensome checklist but as a vital investment in your SMB’s future. Start by conducting a thorough assessment of your current cyber security posture and identifying areas where improvements are needed. Seek out cyber security support in Leicester to assist with implementing the necessary changes and achieving certification. By doing so, you’ll not only protect your business from cyber threats but also demonstrate your commitment to safeguarding your customers’ data and trust.
Realtime ITS: Delivering IT Excellence to Leicester’s Businesses
Realtime IT Solutions was founded to help SMBs in Leicester realise their full potential by utilising ever-evolving technology.
Whether you need support on-site, over the cloud, or for hybrid infrastructures, the best solutions are those tailored to meet your specific goals and give you a competitive edge. We base our skills and knowledge on the latest technology practices used by large corporations, adjusting them to your unique business needs.
Thinking of pursuing a Cyber Essentials certification? Schedule a discovery call to talk to us about ensuring your cyber security meets the necessary criteria.
