Has your charity been hit by a cyber-attack in the last 12 months? According to the 2022 Cyber Security Breaches Survey revealed that 26% of charities were hit at least once a week with 19% resulting in a negative outcome. So, why are charities targeted by cybercriminals?

Well, charities are sitting on a data treasure trove, they hold valuable information on beneficiaries, supporters, and volunteers as well as invoice and payment details that can be sold by cybercriminals and used to identify other targets.

98% of charities believe cyber security is important or very important but often feel overwhelmed or don’t know where to start. By using the free Cyber Essentials Readiness Tool, reading our guidance for charities, or talking to a Certification Body, charities can take an important first step towards Cyber Essentials certification.

Today marks the beginning of Charity Cyber Essentials Awareness Fortnight, which aims to raise the profile of Cyber Essentials to charities and support them with guidance to help them through their journey to certification.

In the present digital, post-COVID age, trust and cyber security are interwoven. By achieving Cyber Essentials, a charity can demonstrate commitment to cyber security and protection of customer data.

Between the 8th and the 17th of November 2022, IASME will be working closely with the NCSC, partners and Certification Bodies to educate charities about the cyber threat they face

and to inform them about the benefits of Cyber Essentials.

A package of support, advice and guidance will be offered to charities, along with a discount to the price of Cyber Essentials certification for registered charities to help them achieve Cyber Essentials. The discount is as follows:

Cyber Essentials for Charities pricing structure

To get Cyber Essentials certification at the discounted rate, you will now need to choose a participating Certification Body. The SECRC works with a network of Trusted Partners who are official providers of Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus Certification to our local businesses and charities.

Our Trusted Partners will help you to achieve Cyber Essentials certification, you can meet our Trusted Partners here.

Terms and Conditions:

• You must apply for your Cyber Essentials certification during our Cyber Essentials for Charities fortnight, which starts on the 7th of November. Cut off will be 5pm on 18th November.
• You will need to give your registered charity number to your chosen Certification Body.
• You must start the process within one month of application and must have completed and submitted the assessment by 18th May 2023.
• You can choose from any of the Certification Bodies listed below but you may wish to select one that is nearby.

The Cyber Resilience Centre for the South East works with businesses, small or large to help reduce cyber-related risks and vulnerabilities and enabling companies to follow cyber best practices to avoid these incidents.

To help you to guard your business against cyber-attacks in the way you would protect your premises against fire and flood, the SECRC offers a free membership package. Membership is hassle-free and, doesn’t commit you to anything that you’ll later be charged for. There are options to upgrade your membership to utilise our cyber services, but these upgrades are not compulsory – the crux of the offer is free.

Businesses can find out more information about the centre at https://www.secrc.co.uk/. To keep updated with all the latest SECRC developments follow @SouthEastCRC on Twitter or on LinkedIn.