Achieve the Cyber Essentials Accreditation with Blue Planet IT.

At Blue Planet IT, we understand the critical role technology plays in your organisation. Whether you're a school, Multi-Academy Trust, business, or charity, keeping your data safe and systems operational is paramount. So, today we want to address a growing threat in our industry, known as ransomware and how the cyber essentials accreditation can help future-proof your business’s online activity.

Ransomware is malicious software that encrypts your data, making it inaccessible. Hackers then demand a ransom payment to decrypt it. A recent report by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) highlights the dangers of paying ransoms. While it may seem like a quick fix, there's no guarantee you'll regain access:

• Criminals may not decrypt your data after payment.
• Your systems remain infected, leaving you vulnerable to future attacks.
• Paying ransoms encourages further attacks on your business.

The impact of a ransomware attack can be devastating. Schools can lose vital student records, businesses can experience crippling downtime, and charities may be unable to access donor information.

Here's how a ransomware attack can affect your organisation:

• Disruption: Critical operations can stop, hindering productivity and service delivery.
• Financial loss: Downtime translates to lost revenue, and ransom payments add another financial burden.
• Data breach: Ransomware attacks often involve data theft, putting sensitive information at risk.
• Reputational damage: A cyberattack can erode trust with stakeholders, such as parents, customers, or donors.

The good news is there are steps you can take to protect yourself. Here at Blue Planet IT, we offer a comprehensive cyber security service that includes:

• Robust backups: Regular backups ensure you have a clean copy of your data to restore in case of an attack.
• Firewalls and antivirus software: Installing these essential tools acts as a first line of defence against malware.
• Cyber Essentials Accreditation: We can guide you through achieving this government-backed programme that demonstrates your commitment to cyber security best practices.

Achieving Cyber Essentials certification goes beyond implementing basic security measures. It demonstrates a proactive approach to data protection by helping organisations identify and address vulnerabilities in their systems. This government-backed standard, developed by the National Cyber Security Centre, ensures the framework is up to date with the latest threats and adheres to best practices. Furthermore, Cyber Essentials is increasingly becoming a requirement for businesses in the supply chain, with many local authorities and larger organisations mandating certification. By achieving this accreditation, you can potentially reduce insurance premiums and build trust with stakeholders.

The NCSC has also introduced a new capability called Share and Defend. This programme works by sharing malicious data sets with internet service providers (ISPs) and other tech companies. These partners can then block access to malicious websites, helping to reduce the overall burden of cyber security on businesses.

By implementing a layered security approach and staying informed about the latest threats, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to a ransomware attack.

Don't wait until it's too late to protect your business from ransomware. Contact Blue Planet IT today for a complimentary cyber security consultation.