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As a business owner, one of your primary concerns is to keep your company safe from cyber threats and protect your organisation’s sensitive information. This is a legal requirement as part of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Any cyberattack resulting in a loss of personal data could lead to a hefty fine from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). If your business has poor cyber defences, you risk opening yourself to liability. This article will explain the benefits of the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) website and utilise some of its essential materials to keep your business safe.
National Cyber Security Centre
The UK Government created the NCSC in response to the increasing cyber-attack threat facing organisations in England. Given your organisation likely uses electronic equipment, you must protect it from unauthorised use. The NCSC website aims to educate businesses on the common forms of a cyberattack. This then helps you to take preventative measures to defend your company from cybercriminals.
One of the main ways the NCSC aims to assist organisations in England is through its written guides on cybersecurity best practices. The website homepage includes blogs and guidance concerning the recovery of hacked accounts. It also contains the advantages of cloud computing and tips on how to spot scam emails.
Topics the NCSC Website Covers
The National Cyber Security Centre website aims to cover 46 topics. While not all these issues will be relevant for your business, you must understand how to increase your cybersecurity defences.
Below are eight core topics from the NCSC website:
- phishing – protecting your business from fake emails which appear to come from someone else, such as your bank, but are from cyber criminals intending to steal your bank details or sensitive information;
- cyber threat – suggesting reasonable cybersecurity measures your company should take;
- critical national infrastructure – highlighting the enhanced threat to services essential to the general public;
- passwords – providing guidance on strong password use and recommending the use of two-factor authentication;
- education – highlighting the need for businesses to take firm measures to protect educational data;
- devices – advising your company that every device (whether a tablet, smartphone, CCTV system or alarm system) requires good protection rather than just computers and laptops;
- ransomware – warning of the dangers of cybercriminals locking you out of your company’s IT system and demanding a financial ransom to ‘unlock’ access; and
- supply chain – making clear the need to ensure your partners and suppliers operate safe systems, particularly at any point they interact with your own.
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Size of Business
The purpose of the NCSC is to provide easy-to-understand, concise cybersecurity guidance for all businesses regardless of your size. With this in mind, their home page lists key information for any of the following:
- self-employed and sole traders;
- small and medium-sized organisations;
- large organisations; and
- public sector bodies.
This means that every organisation can get clear and helpful advice, whether you are a sole trader or a global corporate firm. Naturally, the guidance for sole traders is focused more on core cybersecurity tips. Yet the topics recommended for global companies include articles on linked IT servers and operating hundreds of devices within the same computer network.
Staying on Top of Cybersecurity Risks
The GDPR requires all businesses in England to store all ‘personal data’ securely. The GDPR defines personal data as any information that can help identify an individual (known as ‘personally identifiable information’). This includes everything from names to email addresses to dates of birth.
If your organisation suffers a cyber breach that could have been prevented or mitigated through appropriate cyber security safeguards, it will likely face a fine from the ICO of up to £17.5m. Therefore, it is your responsibility as a business owner to be proactive and implement strong IT practices. While the NCSC website is a helpful start, you might need more tailored advice from a legal professional, particularly if your business is interested in devising a firm cybersecurity policy.
Key Takeaways
The NCSC website is a great place to learn how to protect your business from cybercriminals. It helps you take appropriate measures to reduce your business’ cyber security risk. For example, it provides information on phishing and how to create strong passwords. Some business owners regularly review the NCSC website as a form of continuous risk management to ensure their electronic devices are safe and secure.
If you need help understanding how to protect your business from cybercriminals, our experienced data, privacy and IT lawyers can assist as part of our LegalVision membership. For a low monthly fee, you will have unlimited access to lawyers to answer your questions and draft and review your documents. Call us today on 0808 196 8584 or visit our membership page.
Frequently Asked Questions
The UK Government created the NCSC due to the rise in cyberattacks against businesses and organisations in England.
The ICO fines businesses who suffer cyber-attacks to demonstrate that they exist to deter companies in England from ignoring the legal requirement to store personal data securely.
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