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To help combat the rising cybercrime rates, the UK Government launched its Cyber Essentials programme in 2014 to give companies a framework and tools to help protect their businesses and systems. Companies can gain basic certification by implementing key processes in five core areas and verifying them through the submission of a self-declaration. In fact, it has made Cyber Essential certification mandatory for suppliers bidding for government contracts to show that they not only take the subject seriously but that they are also protected against the most prevalent threats.
Why is Cyber Essentials essential?
Cybercrime is costing the global economy millions and, at a time when economic activity is virtually dependent on the internet, cybercrime is now so prevalent, Americans are actually beginning to curtail the amount of time they spend online. Security has become one of the most vital of the cyber essentials, but the specialists are being hampered by the lax attitude of users.
At a cybersecurity conference in Las Vegas last week, delegates were told that many cybercriminals are now concentrating on a scam that is becoming increasingly profitable, by capturing business data and ransoming it back to companies. The average ransom paid last year was $300; this year it is $679 and rising. The reason why companies are paying the ransom is because without adequate backups, it’s easier and quicker for them to pay the criminals than try to get their systems up and running again.
Who is to blame?
The basic answer is, us. We are the ones that don’t back up our systems religiously, who are happy to click on unknown links on the promise of juicy information or a bargain. We are even happy to pick up a random USB stick in the street and open it on our computers.
What people seem to be unable to get their heads around is that everyone is being targeted all the time. It is now no longer about if you are going to get hacked, rather when. So vigilance is needed at all times.
Cyber security
The logic behind cyber security is astoundingly simple – keeping your staff and data safe and the bad guys out. If you don’t, you will damage your reputation, lose business, lose data and lose money. The figures make sobering reading – 98% of tested web apps are vulnerable to attack; 65% of large UK companies are targeted by cyber criminals; 25% of companies are breached at least once a month; the average cost of a breach is £36,500; 93% of Data Protection Act breaches are caused by human error.
How can your business tackle the scale of cybercrime?
Ensuring your company is protected isn’t just about having the right firewalls and malware protection, it also requires common sense:
In a 2015 study, PwC discovered the extent of the problem: 75% of company directors were not involved in the review of cyber security risks; only 48% of businesses have recommended measures in place; and only 12% of small businesses undertake any kind of staff cyber security training. It makes grim reading, but can we blame them? The majority of companies are spending their resources doing what they are best at – running their business. The best way forward for company directors who think they have too little time to make sure adequate steps are in place to protect their businesses, or have no inclination to do so, is to outsource the task to a specialist managed services provider.
A good company will take all the cyber-weight onto their own shoulders so businesses can concentrate on what they’re good at, without the nagging worry that they are leaving themselves open to attack. The costs involved will be a lot cheaper than trying to save the business in the event of a major breach, and with none of the damaging interruptions in trading or to carefully built up reputations.
Lumina Tech can help you with your managed service provision, cybersecurity training for your staff and compliance and certification with Cyber Essentials. Contact us for more details.
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Luke Harrison
Keidan Harrison LLP
Lumina have supported us so well through the difficult circumstances of 2020. They worked extremely hard to ensure we were able to work remotely and continue to operate our business successfully. The support team are very friendly and knowledgeable, and have excellent response times.
The team have also enhanced our cyber security which is so important in the legal sector, and they continue to provide high quality advice to help us move forward with our IT goals.
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Managing Partner, Adams & Remers LLP
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Technical Director, Trap Oil Group plc
Richard and his team are a real inspiration to anyone who meets them and I have watched Lumina’s growth over the last few years with interest and admiration. Richard has been an amazing supporter of the Hospice of St Francis, being a Gold member of the Corporate Partner Network for almost two years. He takes an active interest in the community and is passionate about his company and his town: nothing is too much trouble, he is always willing to help, to give up his time and to provide business advice when asked. Lumina is an inspiration to any company wanting to set up business in Hertfordshire.
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Corporate Fundraising Manager, The Hospice of St Francis
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Chief Executive Officer, Wentworth Resources PLC
The commercially sensitive and regulated nature of Lambert Energy Advisory’s business requires an IT provider able to maintain the highest levels of integrity and confidentiality, Lumina Technologies has consistently been unimpeachable in this regard over the nine years we have employed them.
Patrick Agar
Lambert Energy Advisory
It has been a great pleasure working with Lumina Technologies over the past two years. They have fully committed to being involved in the local community with volunteering and with professional advice and commitment, helping many local charities along the way. As a growing company it proves that being involved in the local community is helping them attract and retain a talented workforce and I look forward to working with them well into the future.
Cindy Withey
Connect Dacorum
Hawkstone Management Services Ltd is a small company for which IT Outsourcing is realistically the only viable option. Lumina Technologies have successfully performed this role for over fifteen years. They also provide innovative solutions to keep pace with technological progress. I would have no hesitation in recommending Lumina to similar sized businesses.
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Hawkstone Management Services Ltd
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Managing Partner, Charles Douglas Solicitors LLP
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Amoun Travel & Tours Ltd
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Group Technical Director, Salamander Energy plc
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COO, Perrett Laver Limited
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Managing Director, Society Limited
The Vita Group HQ staff have worked with Richard McBarnet and Lumina Technologies for over 9 years, with Lumina providing all our PC, server, phone, and software support. The services have included C-level executives based in London, Manchester, the US, as well as supporting home office IT as well. The service provided and intellectual capabilities are outstanding and we would highly recommend Richard and his Lumina team.
Joe Menendez
CEO, The Vita Group
We worked with Lumina on a GDPR Audit. Richard was knowledgeable and professional throughout, and did the best he could to bring a dry topic to life through lots of real life examples and analogies. We were so impressed with the service Lumina provided and the value we got from partnering with them on this project – we couldn’t recommend them enough.
Holly Cottingham, Vintec Laboratories
We’ve been so well supported by Paige and the Lumina team. They’ve been highly professional, very responsive, friendly, supportive. It’s really validated the decision to engage an IT partner, and we’re glad it’s with Lumina.
Bruce Storey
Chief Operating Officer, Estu Global Ltd
