Might your UK charity one day succumb to cyber criminals? As alarming as it might sound, there is a high likelihood that you are already in some criminals sightlines. As a result, 2021 is seeing several players in the world of cyber security push harder to advocate professional cyber security training for charities and non-profits.
When we think of cyber attacks, we often imagine high-tech hackers going after high-profile targets like UK defence contractors. However, it is increasingly the case that cyber criminals target small UK businesses and enterprises.
At present, research shows that 43% of all cyber attacks in the UK target small businesses*. This is because cyber criminals know that small businesses can’t afford to implement the same state-of-the-art cyber security countermeasures as large corporations.
Sadly, the UK National Cyber Security Center is now warning that the same attackers are starting to target UK charities.
Are you a UK charity that has concerns about your susceptibility to cyber-attacks? If so, don’t worry just yet.
During the first week of November this year, the IASME Consortium and cyber security experts at Defensity will be offering discounts on two of the UK’s most trusted cyber security certification schemes. Namely, NCSC Cyber Essentials and IASME Governance.
NCSC Cyber Essentials is a UK Government-backed scheme which introduces businesses to simple, yet effective ways to prevent cyber attacks and data breaches. To date, no organisation with NCSC Cyber Essentials certification has succumbed to a major data breach.
The IASME Governance Standard allows small businesses, charities, and enterprises, to demonstrate equivocal information security management to that expected by the international standard (ISO 27001) for consumer and burliness data security.
Several UK charities like Access to Business, are also already reaping the rewards of IASME and NCSC certification.
Prior to Spring 2020, Access to Business (A2B) was a charity that worked predominantly offline. Based in Wolverhampton, A2B worked every day to help disadvantaged people in the Black Country secure job training, employment, and even start their own small businesses.
Sadly, the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns, saw A2B have to work at light-speed to deploy as many of the charities services online as possible. However, this was by no means easy.
Thankfully, seeking NCSC Cyber Essentials certification helped make A2B’s transition online altogether easy.
How NCSC Cyber Essentials certification benefits charities like A2B is simple. Costing just £300, certification is achieved when businesses successfully answer a series of questions concerning how they currently mitigate potential cyber-attacks.
When questioned, answers reveal that charities might be failing to secure themselves against common attack threats, feedback is given accordingly. To see a full list of what Cyber Essentials covers, see the below infographic.
NCSC Cyber Essentials certification also allows charities and small businesses to qualify for up to £25,000 of free cyber liability insurance.
At present, NCSC Cyber Essentials represents the minimum standard of cyber security certification the UK government expects from SMEs. Industry-wide recognition also means that charities who don’t invest in certification can risk losing the ability to receive funding from enterprises who already embrace the standard.
Thankfully, up until November the 6th, NCSC Cyber Essentials can be purchased through Defensity for just £225 (RRP £300.) Likewise, IASME Governance Standard certification can be purchased for just £250 (RRP £400). Visit our cyber security for charities page to discover the full details.
Sadly, eligibility for discounts will expire on November 7th. This being the case, if you are a UK charity or non-profit, contact one of the team at Defensity now by clicking here to secure your discount.
*Preventing Charity Cybercrime Insights & Actions – The Charity Commission
