National Cyber Security Centre
An NCSC Driven Approach To Schools Cyber Security
Cyber Essentials defines five themes as below:
Technical Control Themes
- Firewalls
- Secure Configuration
- User Access Control
- Malware Protection
- Security Update Management
How To Proceed
- Establish the boundary of scope for your organisation, and determine what is in scope within this boundary.
- Review each of the five technical control themes and the controls they embody as requirements.
- Take steps as necessary to ensure that your organisation meets every requirement, throughout the scope you have determined
We add to this with the steps defined in the NCSC small business guide.
Small Business Guide: Cyber Security
How to improve your cyber security; affordable, practical advice for businesses.
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Step 1 - Backing up your data
5 things to consider when backing up your data. -
Step 2 - Protecting your organisation from malware
5 free and easy-to-implement tips that can help prevent malware damaging your organisation. -
Step 3 - Keeping your smartphones (and tablets) safe
5 quick tips that can help keep your mobile devices (and the information stored on them) secure. -
Step 4 - Using passwords to protect your data
5 things to keep in mind when using passwords. -
Step 5 - Avoiding phishing attacks
Steps to help you identify the most common phishing attacks.
Products
Resources For Schools
The NCSC provide a number of resources for schools which has driven our strategy for Cyber Security at Fairtech Solutions, including practical tips for everyone working in education.
Whilst implementing recommending technology solutions is important to reduce your risk of a Cyber attack, it is also imperative to implement best practices within your schools to your users.
Including, but not limited to:
- Powerful Passwords
- Watch out for Phish
- USBs or Pen Drives
Downloadable copies of Cyber Security Information cards can be found at NCSC.GOV.UK and will allow you to circulate practical tips for your staff which can work alongside vital training tools, such as Cyber Security Awareness Training, to prevent staff engaging with malicious phishing content.
Alongside our Cyber Essentials guidance which is advised by the NCSC, we also direct our customers to their ‘Exercise in a Box’ simulation tool – This allows you to work with management teams and key stakeholders working to reduce your schools cyber risk to assess the current risk status of your school.
You can access this free service to open up a number of simulations which can advise on the solutions you should look to invest in as a school to become protected against a successful Cyber Attack – all of these solutions can be found on our Cyber Security page.
Working with your board members and management teams
It is essential to get the backing and support of your wider management teams when implementing a strategy to increase your protection against a cyber attack. The NCSC have resources that are designed to encourage discussions around cyber safety, cyber essentials and open up discussions between your technical teams and your board members.
The NCSC Board Toolkit will provide schools with:
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2 - Separate sections, each dealing with an important aspect of cyber security.
For each aspect, we will: .
- explain what it is, and why it's important;
- recommend what individual Board members should be doing;
- recommend what the Board should be ensuring your organisation is doing
- provide questions and answers which you can use to start crucial discussions with your cyber security experts
Get In Touch
If you would like to find out more about how we can help, get in touch today.
