Do you truly know how safe your business is from cyber threats? The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has launched a Cyber Aware campaign which provides Government advice on how sole traders and micro businesses can stay secure online.
The latest phase of the Cyber Aware campaign has recently been launched and includes a self-assessment tool that will help sole traders and micro businesses by allowing them to check how safe they are from cyber threats. The tool also provides advice on any areas of improvement.
What tools are available?
Micro businesses with fewer than 10 employees and sole traders can download the following which will help them to navigate the digital world in a secure way:
The above action plan includes important information and advice on how to stay secure online. The recommendations that the Cyber Action Plan includes stem from the below steps:
1. Use a strong and separate password for your email.
2. Create strong passwords using 3 random words.
3. Save your passwords in your browser.
4. Turn on two-factor authentication.
5. Update your devices and apps.
6. Back up your data.
There are questions that sole traders and micro businesses can respond to in the Cyber Action Plan and those who do will receive tailored advice on how they can improve their cyber security.
Why do installers need to protect themselves from cyber crime?
A digital world has brought an increased use of emails, online payments and software on computers, but has also brought some risks. Reporting by Action Fraud revealed that between November 2019 and December 2020, the construction sector was in the top 3 sectors that is impacted by cyber crime where the victim was a business.
It is important that installers are aware of how to stay safe in a new digital climate so that they don’t find themselves as victims of cyber crime.