The five controls of Cyber Essentials are designed to protect against common cyber threats by implementing foundational cybersecurity measures. Here’s a breakdown of each control:
- Firewalls and Internet Gateways:
- Purpose: To prevent unauthorized access to your network and safeguard against external threats.
- Implementation: Use firewalls and internet gateways to control and monitor incoming and outgoing network traffic. Ensure they are correctly configured to block unauthorized access and allow only necessary communications.
- Secure Configuration:
- Purpose: To minimize vulnerabilities and reduce the risk of exploitation.
- Implementation: Configure devices and software securely by disabling unnecessary features, changing default settings, and applying security best practices. Regularly review and update configurations to maintain security.
- User Access Control:
- Purpose: To ensure that only authorized individuals have access to sensitive data and systems.
- Implementation: Implement strong user access controls by managing user permissions, requiring unique and complex passwords, and regularly reviewing access rights. Use multi-factor authentication where possible to enhance security.
- Protection Against Malware:
- Purpose: To defend against malicious software that can compromise systems and data.
- Implementation: Deploy antivirus and anti-malware software to detect and remove malicious code. Regularly update these tools to ensure they can protect against the latest threats.
- Patch Management:
- Purpose: To fix known vulnerabilities and ensure that software and systems remain secure.
- Implementation: Keep operating systems, applications, and software up-to-date by applying patches and updates promptly. Regularly check for updates and ensure they are installed to address any security flaws.
These controls collectively form the foundation of Cyber Essentials and are essential for protecting your organization against common cyber threats. Implementing these measures helps to reduce the risk of cyberattacks and improve your overall cybersecurity posture.
