Charities are becoming increasingly vulnerable in the current threat landscape. The databases that they hold full of personal and financial information are the targets for cybercriminals. Losing this information can have a significant impact on the charity’s reputation and on the funding they receive. Although this is the case many charities especially smaller ones haven’t acknowledged the potential threat and do not consider themselves as possible targets. Therefore, the IASME Consortium, the recognised partner for the Government backed Cyber Essentials certification scheme, is launching a week-long campaign in November aimed at encouraging registered charities to improve their resilience to online threats.
As a licensed certification body for the government backed scheme, we are proud to be offering a discount on the Cyber Essentials Certification to charities between the 8th-12th November 2021.
What is Cyber Essentials?
The Cyber Essentials framework has been designed as a strong security baseline for every business in every industry. Mapping against five simple key controls means it’s easy to achieve Cyber Essentials certification with the right help.
By completing the self-assessment your charity will have protection against a wide variety of the most common cyber-attacks. The certification process has been designed to be lightweight and easy to follow. It gives peace of mind that your defences will protect your data as in many common cyber-attacks, criminals are looking for targets that haven’t implemented these specific controls.
As an organisation, you will assess yourself against five basic security controls and a qualified assessor will verify the information that you have provided.
The five security controls that you will evaluate are:
- Firewalls
- Secure configuration
- User access control
- Malware protection
- Patch management
It is recommended that you undertake the certification to guard against threats and demonstrate the organisation’s commitment to cyber security. If you decide to put it on hold you are potentially exposing your organisation to a host of cyber attacks such as phishing or ransomware.
Want to take part in the certification as part of cyber-secure charities? Read below to find out the steps you need to take to be more cyber secure!
Next Steps:
- Demonstrate your registered charity status to us through submission of your charity name and registered charity number to info@istormsolutions.co.uk or call 01789 608708.
- Make your applications during the week of the 8th to the 12th of November 2021. All applications must be received before 5 pm on Friday 12th November.
- Once you have made your application between the 8th-12th of November you must commence the assessment within one month.
- Assessments must be completed and submitted by 12th May 2022.
- If the conditions are not met, IASME and/or iSTORM reserve the right to invoice the previous discount or require the charity to re-apply at full cost.
For more information about IASME’s Charity Campaign click here.
