Helping you achieve peace of mind and the confidence to work online

At iTEK Cumbria, we understand that before your IT can do anything for your organisation, it needs to be secure. The speed of innovation in this digital age has meant for a constantly evolving world of possibility, but it is set to the backdrop of an equally rapidly-developing threat environment.

We make sure to keep ourselves and our customers protected to the fullest possible extent, always asking how we can get that extra step ahead. If you have concerns that your cyber security might not be up to scratch, or you just want to learn more about what you can be doing to keep your organisation, and your team, safe online, give us a call today.

IT Security 1
SLAs

Streamlined Standards

We know that cyber security is a daunting subject and that what everyone wants is peace of mind. We do whatever we can to provide this for our customers, but at iTEK, we strive to go further than peace of mind. IT may offer limitless possibility, but to harness it, we must be empowered to use it confidently and safely.

To achieve this, our friendly team keep it as simple as we can, tying our approach closely to streamlined Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus standards, helping you to understand your protections and how you can use the internet safely at every opportunity.

Help Us Help You – Cyber Essentials

As a Cyber Essentials Plus accredited organisation ourselves, we are well-placed to support organisations across all sectors to work toward these standards. That is a journey we have done with many of our partners and we know that it is essential to make sure that you can walk before you try to run. We will work closely with you to map out what you need and how you can get there, no matter what stage of the process you are at.

We all lock our offices up at night – with so much of our organisation based online, we need to do the same in the digital realm. At iTEK Cumbria, we can get you the keys to do so.

We follow the Cyber Essentials standards and best practices
Protect Your Data

Two-Factor Authentication

A cornerstone of the current cyber security landscape is 2-Factor-Authentification (2FA). 2FA was added to the Cyber Essentials checklist in 2022, reflecting its growing importance in combatting the most common cyber-attacks. Put simply, 2FA makes sure that when you log into accounts or devices, you are who you say you are. This can be done through additional passcodes, but more commonly through fingerprints, providing a high level of security to your login identities.

If you are yet to set up 2FA for your organisation, get in touch today and a member of our team will talk you through the process – from setup through to ensuring your team understand what they need to do and why.

VPNs

Our cyber security experts have a great depth of knowledge on a range of solutions to protect our customers. The use of SSL VPNs (Secure Socket Layers Virtual Private Networks) is one that continues to proliferate across a whole host of sectors. Imagine a tunnel that transports you, and only you, to a vault containing the data you need. A VPN gets you a private, secure connection to the internet – enclosed in a tunnel that only you and your team can enter.

Running a VPN with the SSL protocol offers a high level of encryption to your data when any of your users access the internet – helping to keep the right people in the loop, and the wrong people out.

With our ear firmly to the ground, let us help you get ahead, and stay ahead, of the ever-changing cyber threat environment to get you working, and sleeping, confidently in the digital age. Get in touch today and when you lock up tonight, know you are one step closer to greater security for your organisation.

VPNs

Security and Cyber Essentials – Frequently Asked Questions

Cyber Essentials Plus is a UK government-backed certification that demonstrates a business has implemented essential cybersecurity measures. It goes beyond the basic Cyber Essentials certification by requiring an independent, hands-on assessment of the organization’s security controls.

Key features include:

  • Technical Verification: A third-party assessor tests your cybersecurity practices and systems.
  • Advanced Security Controls: Focuses on protecting data from common cyber threats like malware and phishing.
  • Continuous Protection: Ensures your business maintains secure practices over time.

Achieving Cyber Essentials Plus helps businesses show they are serious about cybersecurity and build trust with customers.

Implementing robust cybersecurity measures is essential for any organisation aiming to safeguard its digital assets and maintain operational integrity. By prioritizing cybersecurity, businesses can not only protect themselves from potential threats but also gain several strategic benefits. Here are some key advantages of enhancing your cybersecurity framework through Cyber Essentials Plus:

  • Enhanced Security: It ensures strong protection against common cyber threats, reducing the risk of cyberattacks.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Helps meet security requirements for certain contracts and industries, especially when dealing with sensitive data.
  • Customer Trust: Demonstrates a commitment to protecting customer data, building confidence and credibility.
  • Incident Prevention: Provides practical security controls that minimize the likelihood of data breaches or system disruptions.
  • Competitive Advantage: It can differentiate your business by showcasing a commitment to robust cybersecurity practices.

Cyber Essentials Plus significantly enhances IT security by providing a comprehensive framework that addresses various aspects of cybersecurity. This certification involves rigorous independent testing to ensure systems are resilient against common threats. It emphasizes critical security measures, such as firewalls and secure configurations, while promoting continuous monitoring and maintenance to adapt to evolving risks. Additionally, it fosters a culture of security awareness among employees, encouraging best practices that mitigate human error and strengthen overall protection.

In summary, Cyber Essentials Plus encompasses:

  • Independent Testing: A third-party assessor verifies that your systems meet strict security standards, ensuring they are properly configured to resist common threats.
  • Enhanced Protection: Focuses on key security areas like firewalls, secure configurations, and patch management to prevent cyberattacks.
  • Continuous Security: Encourages ongoing monitoring and maintenance of security controls to protect against evolving threats.
  • Employee Awareness: Reinforces good practices, such as strong password policies and safe internet usage, to reduce human error.

The key benefits to achieving Cyber Essentials Plus certification include:

  • Improved Security: Strengthens defences against common cyber threats like malware and phishing.
  • Customer Trust: Demonstrates a commitment to data protection, boosting customer confidence.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Helps meet industry-specific security requirements, making it easier to win contracts.
  • Competitive Advantage: Sets your business apart from competitors by showcasing strong cybersecurity practices.
  • Risk Reduction: Reduces the likelihood of cyber incidents and their potential financial or reputational impact.
  • Peace of Mind: Ensures your business is consistently following best cybersecurity practices.

Cyber Essentials Plus helps organisations achieve regulatory compliance by addressing key cybersecurity standards and demonstrating a proactive approach to managing cyber risks. This is achieved in the following ways:

  • Meeting Industry Standards: It aligns with key cybersecurity regulations like GDPR, PCI-DSS, and others, ensuring your systems meet required security protocols.
  • Demonstrating Due Diligence: Certification shows you are actively managing cyber risks, which is often required by regulatory bodies.
  • Simplifying Audits: The certification process involves assessments that can make it easier to pass future audits or compliance checks.
  • Building Trust: It helps demonstrate to regulators and customers that you are committed to maintaining secure systems and protecting sensitive data.

The steps to get Cyber Essentials Plus certified are:

  • Preparation: Review the Cyber Essentials requirements and assess your current security measures.
  • Self-Assessment: Complete a self-assessment questionnaire covering key areas like firewalls, access control, and software updates.
  • External Assessment: A third-party assessor conducts a technical review, including testing your systems for vulnerabilities.
  • Address Issues: If the assessment reveals gaps, implement necessary changes to improve your security.
  • Certification: Once you pass the assessment, you’ll receive the Cyber Essentials Plus certification.

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