IASME and the Importance of Cyber Security

Cyber security is a vital aspect of any business, especially one, like ALLpaQ, that has employees and customers all around the world that we need to be in constant contact with. However, many SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) struggle to achieve and maintain a high level of cyber security due to a lack of time, resources or expertise.

To ensure that ALLpaQ doesn’t fall into that ALLtraP, we’re working with IASME, the leading cyber security certification body in the UK.

Cyber Security – Why IASME?

IASME stands for Information Assurance for Small and Medium Enterprises. It is a not-for-profit organisation that aims to help businesses improve their online security and risk management through a range of certifications. We’re accredited on their ‘Cyber Essentials’ scheme, which is the UK Government’s preferred methodology for guarding against the most common internet-based cyber security threats.

We chose IASME because they have a proven track record. They’ve been working with the UK government since 2010 and are the sole Cyber Essentials Partner appointed by the NCSC (the National Cyber Security Centre).

They also have a network of almost 300 expert organisations across the UK and Crown Dependencies that can provide advice and support to businesses like ours.

By working with IASME, we hope to achieve the following benefits:

• Enhance our cyber security to defend against common cyber threats
• Demonstrate our commitment to best practice and regulations
• Increase our trust and reputation among our customers, partners, and suppliers

We are excited to embark on this journey with IASME and, as you know, we’re committed to total transparency in our business – so we’ll keep you up to date with our progress and achievements.

Cyber Security – the facts speak for themselves …

Cyber security isn’t a matter of compliance, of ticking a few boxes to keep the regulators happy. No, maintaining good and constantly-updated IT security protocols is a matter of survival.

The threat from hackers is very real and there are new cyber weapons being developed all the time – so, constant vigilance has to be our default setting.

The UK government’s own annual Cyber Security Survey shows that, in 2022, 32% of small businesses reported attacks. This is a lower number than previous years.

However, the bigger the businesses get, the more likely they are to be attacked: 59% of medium-sized businesses reported attacks, while 69% of large businesses did likewise.

The impact a cyber attack can have on a business is terrifying. According to Cybersecurity Ventures, cybercrime will result in a worldwide annual loss in revenue of $10.5 trillion (£8.2 trillion) by 2025.

Varonis reports that the average cost of a data breach in 2021 was $4.24 million (£3.3 billion), and an incursion can take anything from six to ten months to sort, once detected.

ALLpaQ and IASME

So, you see, cyber security is not something that can be taken lightly and it certainly can’t be ignored or postponed. It is a priority for any business and one that requires constant attention and investment.

That’s exactly why we have chosen to work with IASME, because they are tireless in helping us achieve and maintain the highest levels of cyber security.

We’re intending to be ALLvigilanT all the time!

You can learn more about our IASME Cyber Essentials certification, as well as the other bodies that validate, partner and assist us, on our work at our Accreditations Page.

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ALLpaQ

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ALLpaQ is the market leader in the design of innovative pharma containers and fluid management solutions.

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