Getting The Basics Right

First steps— What is it we want to protect?

Our digital devices are essential to our personal and working lives bringing speed, agility and efficiency to transform the way we do business, socialise and provide key services. This connectivity brings great opportunities, but it is not without risks. We need to take reasonable steps to reduce this risk.

Having an understanding of what we care about, and why it’s important, should help to prioritise where to protect our organisation most—is it our identity, our privacy, our access to systems, our organisation, or indeed all of these things? 

When we know what we need to protect, we need to understand how they might be at risk. Do your devices access the Internet? Are they standalone devices or are they connected with other devices (e.g. on a shared platform)? Does your data sit on the Cloud or on your organisation’s network? 

Once you know the answer to these questions, you can take some simple steps to better protect yourself and your organisation.

Section Getting the cyber basics right

Getting the cyber basics right

There are simple steps you can take to protect yourself and your business from cyber security risks to ensure you have the basics in place.

A good start is with the NCSC’s Small Business Guide and Small Charity Guide.

Each contains five quick and easy steps that could save time, money and even your business’s reputation. Doing these steps will significantly increase your protection from the most common types of cyber crime.

If you want to improve your cyber security further, then you can seek certification under the Cyber Essentials scheme.

Go to Small Business Guide

The guide includes 5 steps:

  1. Backing up your data 
  2. Protecting your organisation from malware
  3. Keeping your smartphones (and tablets) safe
  4. Using passwords to protect your data
  5. Avoiding phishing attacks

Learn how to protect yourself or your small business online with the Cyber Aware Action Plan. Answer a few questions on topics like passwords and two-factor authentication, and get a free personalised list of actions that will help you improve your cyber security.

Section What is cyber security?

What is cyber security?

In partnership with Police Scotland the Cyber and Fraud Centre – Scotland have written an introductory guide to cyber security.

It includes:

  • Steps to protect your data and devices
  • How to report a cyber crime
  • Links to useful sources of information to stay secure online
  • Why you should get Cyber Essentials
Download Cyber Security Advice: Buisnesses and Charities

The National Cyber Security Centre provides sound advice on the steps you can take to reduce your exposure to cyber risks;

Small & Medium Sized Organisations

Cyber security advice for businesses, charities, clubs and schools with up to 250 employees. You’re likely to fall into this category if you do not have a dedicated team internally to manage your cyber security.

Read more Small & Medium Sized Organisations in modal dialog

Cyber Security for Schools

Practical resources to help schools improve their cyber security. The NCSC has created a dedicated webpage of resources designed to help: Governing boards & senior leaders Staff IT teams/procurers/providers Other useful resources

Read more Cyber Security for Schools in modal dialog
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