Updated: 7 days ago
Welcome to the first of our 8-week ISMS blog series, where we’ll explore how organisations can build on the foundations of Cyber Essentials and take their approach to information security further.
When we think about cyber security, it's easy to think about laptops, passwords, antivirus software and firewalls. But protecting your organisation starts one step earlier.
Do you actually know what you're protecting?
Every organisation relies on information, technology, people and services to operate each day. Understanding what those assets are, where they are and why they matter is an important foundation for effective information security.
Your Business Assets Are More Than Laptops and Servers
Think about what your organisation relies upon during a normal working day.
It could include:
● Customer and supplier information
● Employee and HR records
● Contracts and agreements
● Financial and payment information
● Emails and communications
● Business plans and commercially sensitive information
● Intellectual property
● Login credentials and user accounts
● Websites and online services
● Cloud platforms and software
● Laptops, mobile phones and other devices
● Data held by or shared with third parties
Some will be obvious. Others may be so embedded in everyday operations that you rarely stop to think about how important they are.
Now ask yourself:
What would happen if one of those assets was suddenly lost, stolen, compromised or unavailable?
Would you know what information had been affected? Who had access to it? Who was responsible for it? And, importantly, what would the impact be on your organisation?
At Cyber Strategies, we’ve supported clients in developing and implementing ISMS solutions tailored to their organisations. This has helped them gain a clearer understanding of their information, responsibilities and security risks, giving them greater visibility of what needs to be protected and managed. If your organisation is looking for the same clarity and a more structured approach to information security, Cyber Strategies can help you take the next step.
As your business grows, so does the information and technology you rely on. Understanding what matters and taking a proactive approach to protecting it is an important part of information security. An ISMS provides a structured way to manage this as your organisation evolves.
Technology Is Part of the Picture, Not the Whole Picture
Technical security measures remain extremely important.
That's why services such as Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus, penetration testing, vulnerability monitoring and cyber awareness training form part of the wider cyber-security offering available through Cyber Strategies.
But technology alone doesn't answer questions about responsibility, risk, policies and how security is managed across the organisation.
Bringing these different areas together is what helps turn individual security measures into a more coordinated approach.
So, Ask Yourself This...
If you were asked today to identify:
What information your organisation relies upon...
Where it is kept...
Who has access to it...
Who is responsible for it...
And what would happen if it were compromised...
Could you confidently answer?
If not, that's a good place to start. If this has sparked a bit of interest, why not get in contact to have a chat about how an ISMS could suit your organisation?
To find a time that suits you, please use this link.
Next week, we'll look at the next question businesses need to consider:
Comments