The Importance of Cyber Security Across Your Supply Chain

In today’s interconnected world, the security of your supply chain is just as crucial as the security of your own organisation. Recently, several major healthcare providers, including King’s College Hospital and Guy’s and St Thomas’, faced significant disruptions due to a cyberattack on their pathology partner, Synnovis. This incident highlights a critical lesson: maintaining robust cyber security is essential not only for your business but also for your clients and suppliers.

 

The Cyber Attack on Synnovis

The attack on Synnovis, which affected critical healthcare services like the Royal Brompton and the Evelina London Children’s Hospital, underscores the vulnerabilities inherent in relying on external partners. While the specifics of the attack are still being investigated, ransomware appears to be at the heart of the disruption. Such incidents can cripple operations, erode trust, and have severe financial implications.

 

Ensuring Your Partners Have Adequate Security

When partnering with external organisations, it’s crucial to ensure that they have strong cyber security measures in place. One effective way to do this is by requiring Cyber Essentials certification. Cyber Essentials is a government-approved IT security standard that demonstrates a company has implemented essential security measures to protect against common cyber threats.

 

What is Cyber Essentials?

Cyber Essentials certification provides a clear assurance that a company has taken necessary steps to secure their data. It covers five key areas:

 

Secure Internet Connections: Ensuring secure gateways to the internet.

Secure Devices and Software: Implementing security measures on devices and software.

Controlled Access to Data and Services: Limiting access to sensitive information.

Protection Against Viruses and Malware: Using anti-virus and anti-malware solutions.

Keeping Software and Devices Up to Date: Regular updates and patches to software and devices.

By adhering to these standards, organisations can protect against approximately 80% of the most common types of cyber-attacks.

 

Making Cyber Essentials a Minimum Standard

For the security of your own IT systems and those of your suppliers and clients, insisting on Cyber Essentials certification should be a minimum standard. This proactive measure can significantly mitigate the risk of cyber-attacks and ensure a more secure supply chain.

 

Contact Us for More Information

For more information on how to secure your business and ensure your partners are adequately protected, contact us here.
We offer detailed guidance on obtaining Cyber Essentials certification and implementing comprehensive cyber security measures.