The Five C's of Cyber Security

In the world of cyber security, knowing the five C's of cyber security is essential. Change, Compliance, Cost, Continuity and Coverage all need to be considered and planned for by businesses if they want to ensure their data is safe from the many threats posed by cybercriminals. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at each of the five C's and see why they are so important for businesses both big and small.

Change; The first ‘C’ of cyber security

Change is inevitable. Technology changes rapidly, and so do the threats. In the constantly evolving world of cyber security, businesses need to be prepared for their threat landscape to constantly change. Cybercriminals are always coming up with new ways to exploit vulnerabilities, so it's important for businesses to keep up-to-date with the latest threats and how to protect against them. This means having a robust and effective cyber security solution that can adapt to the changing landscape, as well as regular training for staff on the latest threats and how to spot them.

Compliance; The second ‘C’ of cyber security

Cyber security compliance is essential for businesses of all sizes. Depending on the industry, there may be different compliance requirements, but all businesses need to make sure they are meeting the minimum requirements for cyber security. This includes things like having a secure password policy, regular backups of data, and ensuring that all software is up-to-date with the latest security patches.

With the introduction of new data protection regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation 2018 [(GDPR)] (https://www.gov.uk/data-protection), businesses need to make sure they have robust and effective cyber security measures in place to protect the personal data of their customers. This includes ensuring that all staff are trained on the imp[ortance of data security and the correct procedures for handling personal data. Failure to comply with the new regulations can result in heavy fines, so it's important to get it right.

Cost; The third ‘C’ of cyber security

The cost of cyber security is often one of the biggest considerations for businesses. However, it's important to remember that the cost of not having effective cyber security measures in place can be much higher. A data breach can result in significant financial losses, damage to the business's reputation, and even legal action. When considering the cost of cyber security, businesses need to weigh up the initial investment against the potential cost of a breach.

The general, consensus is that only the larger companies can afford the best cyber security solutions. However, thankfully, this is no longer the case, there are now essential small business cyber security solutions available that are both affordable and make a substantial difference in protecting businesses. The cost of cyber security used to be a barrier for small businesses, but it doesn't have to be anymore.

Continuity; The fourth ‘C’ of cyber security

In the event of a major cyber security incident, it's essential that businesses have a plan in place to ensure continuity of operations. This includes things like having a backup of all data, having the ability to work remotely, and having staff trained on what to do in the event of an incident. By having an incident response plan in place, businesses can minimise the impact of an incident and get back up and running as quickly as possible.

An incident response plan should include:

• A list of the people and organisations who need to be contacted in the event of an incident
• The steps that need to be taken to contain the incident
• The steps that need to be taken to mitigate the impact of the incident
• The steps that need to be taken to recover from the incident
• A review of the incident response plan after the incident has occurred. Was the plan effective or does it need improvements added? By having an incident and continuity plan in place, businesses can ensure that they are able to still operate in the event of a major incident. This is essential and non-negotiable for businesses of all sizes.

Coverage; The fifth ‘C’ of cyber security

When it comes to cyber security, businesses need to ensure that all their bases are covered. This means having solutions in place that protect the business from a variety of threats, including viruses, malware, phishing attacks, and SQL injection. By having a comprehensive cyber security solution in place, businesses can be confident that they're protected from the majority of threats.

Cyber insurance is also an essential part of any cyber security strategy. In the event of a data breach or other incident, cyber insurance can help to cover the cost of recovery, as well as any legal fees that may be incurred. It's important to make sure that the coverage includes both first-party and third-party costs, as well as the type of incident that is covered.

The five C’s of Cyber Security in a Nutshell.

By understanding the five C's of cyber security, businesses can make sure they are taking the necessary steps to protect their data and their customers. Cyber security is an essential part of doing business in the modern world, so make sure you are fully prepared.

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