The new ,Cyber Security awareness campaign (IASME, in partnership with selected Certification Bodies around the UK and Crown Dependencies) offers charities free guidance and discounted Cyber Essentials certification. Two of our Trusted Partners are participating in this campaign, which runs during the fortnight of the 7-18th of November.

Mitigate Cyber and Cyfor (both Trusted Partners of the NWCRC) are two of the selected IASME-licensed Certification Bodies participating in the campaign.

Since the pandemic, 72% of charities surveyed rate cyber security as a high priority*

Charities are sitting on a data treasure trove. Valuable information on beneficiaries, supporters and volunteers as well as invoice and payment details can be sold by cybercriminals and used to identify other targets.

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 the protection of customer data. Charity Cyber Essentials Awareness Fortnight is about raising the profile of Cyber Essentials to charities and supporting them with guidance to help them through their journey to certification.

With this in mind, The IASME Consortium, the recognised partner for the Government-backed ,Cyber Essentials certification scheme, this week they have launched a campaign aimed at encouraging charities to improve their protection against online threats.

Alongside their selected participating licensed partners, The IASME Consortium is offering free specialist guidance and support for charities. In addition, registered charities signing up and paying for Cyber Essentials certification during the 7-18th of November will receive a discounted price.

Charities are hit by cyber-attacks almost as frequently as commercial businesses. The rapid evolution of digital service delivery and fundraising has been vital for charities' survival, but it is now imperative that they start seriously addressing some of the online threats they face.

If you need help getting started on your Cyber Essentials journey you can access the ,free Cyber Essentials Readiness Tool, developed on behalf of the NCSC by IASME.

*Data from Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2022.