This page provides cyber security information for businesses, charities, voluntary organisations, groups etc with up to 250 staff.
What is cyber security?
Cyber security is how individuals and organisations reduce the risk of a cyber attack. Just like in the ‘real’ world, we need to protect our valuables from theft, damage or destruction by taking appropriate security measures.
Simply put:
- Cyber – anything relating to computers and any device that is connected to the internet
- Security – keeping safe against risks and threats
Cyber security's core function is to protect the devices we all use (smartphones, laptops, tablets and computers), and the services we access, both online and at work, from theft or damage.
It's also about preventing unauthorised access to the vast amounts of personal information we store on these devices, and online.
Why is cyber security important?
Smartphones, computers and the Internet are now such a fundamental part of modern life, that it's difficult to imagine how we'd function without them. From online banking and shopping to email and social media, it's more important than ever to take steps to prevent cyber criminals from getting hold of our accounts, data, and devices.
Do you know if your organisation is protected online?
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) have a free online tool called ‘Check Your Cyber Security’ which you can use to check if cyber criminals could target you.
Visit NCSC’s Check Your Cyber Security Tool
I am not sure about cyber security. Where do I start?
Protecting your organisation from cyber security threats can seem daunting but there are a number of simple steps you can take to ensure that you have the basic actions in place.
You can start by reading our basic steps to cyber security guidance.
You can also get more information by reading NCSC’s Cyber Aware guidance on how you can stay safe online.
Another useful tool you can use is NCSC’s Free Cyber Action Plan. This tool will create a free personalised action plan that details what your organisation can do right now to protect against cyber attacks. For more information go to the Free Cyber Action Plan.
NCSC have free cyber security training for staff called Stay Safe Online: Top Tips for Staff. This is a free e-learning package that includes a short quiz at the end. There are no logins required, and you can start learning right away.
Guidance to help you protect your organisation: