As a small business owner, you already know that digital technology is essential to your success. But with technology comes the need for a secure IT environment. Cyber threats are on the rise, and the consequences of a data breach can be devastating.

Confidential information can include trade secrets of your business as well as personal data which should always be protected. But is a secure IT environment required by law? The short answer is yes. Let’s take a closer look.

Data breaches are devastating – not only is the loss of data and the threat of ransomware or identity theft company-destroying, but businesses may also have to shut down operations to fix the problem (if that’s even possible) meaning it could take weeks or months to recover data.

Not only that, but after a data breach, your customers aren’t going to see your company as a safe and trustworthy investment of their money. It is vital that you create a secure IT environment to protect yourself, your customers and anyone else who would be affected by a cyberattack.

In the public sector, government bodies are required to adhere to strict security standards. For example, the UK Government has developed the Cyber Essentials scheme to help organisations protect themselves against common cyber attacks.

Cyber Essentials covers five key areas: boundary firewalls and internet gateways, secure configuration, access control, malware protection, and patch management. All public sector bodies are required to achieve Cyber Essentials certification, as well as all suppliers bidding for contracts which involve the handling of sensitive and personal information.

While Cyber Essentials is a good starting point for small businesses, larger organisations may require more comprehensive security measures. Cyber Essentials Plus is a higher level of certification that involves an independent assessment of your security measures. This can provide greater confidence to your customers and partners that you take security seriously.

Cyber Essentials Plus certification is offered by CyberSmart, who say that their certification helps your business protect itself from 98.5% of cyber attacks. You could choose to get your certification from Cyber Essentials, who offer additional phone and email support.

The UK government has also developed the ISO 27001 standard for information security management. This is a more comprehensive standard that covers all aspects of information security – those with this certification are able to implement, manage and maintain their privacy in a secure IT environment.

The government sector is required to comply with ISO 27001, and many other private sector organisations also choose to adopt this standard to demonstrate their commitment to security. ISO 27001 is a rigorous standard that involves a full-scale audit of your security practices. This can be a significant undertaking, but it provides the highest level of assurance to your stakeholders that you have a robust security program in place.

A secure IT environment is essential for all businesses. While small businesses can achieve adequate security through Cyber Essentials, those in regulated industries may require more comprehensive measures. Lincoln Be Smarter can help you navigate the complexities of online safety and ensure that you have the security you need to properly protect your business. Do you need some help? Get in touch with the LBS team by emailing lincolnbesmarter@lincoln.ac.uk.