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Cyber Essentials: A Practical Guide for Property and Trade Businesses
Updated: Jul 7
Understanding Cyber Essentials
That’s not possible for most businesses. But thanks to our thorough onboarding, Intune, and a cloud migration, most of the heavy lifting was already done.
Most businesses only think about Cyber Essentials when the tender deadline lands. Then, you're trying to do six months of IT hygiene in a week. This approach is not only stressful but also ineffective.
What Made 4 Days Possible
Achieving Cyber Essentials certification in just four days is no small feat. Here’s how we did it:
✅ Thorough onboarding: We established clear asset management. This meant we knew exactly what devices existed and who owned them.
✅ RMM in place: Everything was patched, monitored, and kept compliant through Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM).
✅ Cloud migration: This reduced vulnerabilities compared to an old file server setup.
✅ Identity tightened: Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) was rolled out properly.
✅ Devices managed: Every machine was brought under a managed company standard with Intune.
The Work We Completed
Here’s a brief overview of the tasks we accomplished:
Transitioned from a file server to SharePoint.
Rolled out MFA across the board.
Implemented Intune on every device, ensuring they were managed and controlled.
The Lesson Learned
Cyber Essentials isn’t hard when you’re organised. It becomes challenging when you leave it until you need it.
Why Cyber Essentials Matters
For property and trade businesses, Cyber Essentials is more than just a certification. It’s a crucial step in protecting your operations and data. With increasing cyber threats, having a strong cybersecurity posture is essential. It not only safeguards your business but also builds trust with clients and stakeholders.
Practical Steps to Prepare for Cyber Essentials
Conduct an Asset Inventory: Know what devices and software you have. This is the foundation of your cybersecurity strategy.
Implement RMM Tools: Ensure your systems are regularly monitored and updated.
Migrate to the Cloud: Consider moving to cloud solutions like SharePoint for better security and accessibility.
Roll Out MFA: Protect your accounts with an additional layer of security.
Standardise Device Management: Use tools like Intune to manage all devices under one standard.
Final Thoughts
If you’re in property or trades and tenders are part of your world, comment “CE” and I’ll send you the pre-tender checklist we use to get businesses ready before it becomes urgent.
By taking these steps, you can ensure that your business is not only compliant but also secure. Remember, proactive measures are always better than reactive ones. Let’s make Cyber Essentials a part of your routine, not a last-minute scramble.
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