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Cybersecurity is now an essential aspect of any modern business, whatever the size or market type, as cyber-attacks and threats continue to evolve and become more sophisticated.

To ensure the safety of your business and its data, it is vital to have a robust cybersecurity strategy in place, including measures such as Cyber Essentials and Plus accreditation, Pen Testing, and SOC services (Security Operations Centre).

In this article, we will explore why we believe these cybersecurity measures are essential and how they, and we, as a supplier of IT support services, can help protect customers from cyber threats.

Being aware is the first step to prevention

Today, it’s not just operating systems on a network that are a target of cyber-attacks; anything connected to a network is potentially vulnerable, including the least likely of candidates, printers and multifunctional photocopiers (MFPs).

MFPs, in all areas of the marketplace, have access to the world wide web and are included within the ‘Internet of Things’ (IoT) as vital endpoints on a network. In both cases this access makes them a risk to data security and cyber-attacks.

What can be done to prevent attacks on basic office equipment at a basic level?

At Elmdale Maintenance, part of the Elmdale Group, all the latest MFPs we supply have been designed with some effective standard security features, such as user authentication, secure print and hard drive data encryption, when they are manufactured, which comply with the Compatible Criteria Certification (ISO/IEC 15408) as well as the IEEE 2600.1 standard.

However, we also recommend strengthening data security further with a choice of options, depending on the level required, from data security kits to 3rd party tools, such as PaperCut, to track and securely release print jobs, and antivirus options like Bitdefender® which enables print jobs to be scanned in real-time to prevent potentially harmful virus attacks and data breaches.

It’s human nature to be sceptical of the latest technology and also not wish to spend too much money, but, in today’s world, can businesses and individuals afford not to protect their data?

What are businesses doing to secure themselves and their customers?

When auditing clients’ needs, and recommending solutions, whether they are print IT products or IT services, we have a dedicated IT Services division, Elmdale IT Services, which include discussing the security of their printing infrastructure and network as a priority. This helps us find out more about their network and IT support and regularly involves discussing all network security aspects from security of devices on the network to awareness of spoof/fraudulent emails as a way of accessing the network and company data.

Being in line with the latest GDPR regulations is also paramount so we evaluate the appropriate level of security that we need to put in place and the basic technical controls we can use, such as those within the framework of the Cyber Essentials and Essentials Plus accreditation.

Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus Accreditation

Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus are UK government-backed cybersecurity certification schemes that provide a baseline of cybersecurity measures that all organisations should implement. The Cyber Essentials scheme is designed to help businesses of all sizes to protect themselves from common cyber threats.

The scheme provides a set of basic technical controls that should be in place, such as firewalls, secure configuration, access controls and patch management.

Cyber Essentials Plus is a more rigorous certification scheme that requires an independent assessment of an organisation’s cybersecurity controls.

It includes all the requirements of Cyber Essentials but also includes a vulnerability scan and an on-site assessment. Cyber Essentials Plus accreditation is more suitable where a higher level of assurance or sensitive data is handled, such as government-based contracts or within banks and other financial organisations.

Penetration Testing

Penetration testing, also known as ‘pen testing’, is a method of testing an organisation’s cybersecurity defences by simulating a cyber-attack.

A pen test can identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses within a company’s systems and networks, providing insights into how to improve security measures. Pen testing can be carried out on specific areas of the infrastructure, such as web applications, networks, or wireless networks.

Pen testing can be conducted in two ways, either through automated testing or manual testing. Automated testing uses software tools to simulate attacks, while manual testing is carried out by our trained professionals who attempt to exploit vulnerabilities in a system. The results of a pen test can be used to improve security measures and reduce the risk of a successful cyber-attack.

SOC Services

SOC (Security Operations Centre) services provide 24/7 monitoring and management of a business’ cybersecurity systems and networks. SOC services use advanced technology, such as threat intelligence, to detect and respond to cyber threats in real-time. SOC services can help organisations to identify and reduce potential cyber threats before they become a problem.

SOC services typically include security incident and event management (SIEM), threat hunting, vulnerability management, and incident response. These services are provided by our trained cybersecurity team who have the expertise and knowledge to detect and respond to cyber threats quickly and effectively.

Conclusion

In conclusion, cyber threats are a significant risk for businesses of all sizes, and cybersecurity measures such as Cyber Essentials and Plus accreditation, Pen Testing, and SOC services are essential to protect against these threats.

These measures provide a baseline of cybersecurity controls, identify vulnerabilities in an organisation’s systems, and provide 24/7 monitoring and management of cybersecurity systems and networks.

By implementing these measures, organisations can reduce the risk of a successful cyber-attack and protect their business and its data from harm.

For more information, please contact us on 0118 982 1444 or email:

Elmdale IT Services: support@elmdaleit.co.uk or sales@elmdaleit.co.uk

Elmdale Maintenance (for Print IT solutions): sales@elmdalemaintenance.co.uk

We are looking for a locally based, full-time Credit Controller to join the Elmdale Group team. This is an ideal opportunity for an experienced individual with strong attention to detail, combined with the ability to provide outstanding customer service.

Here is the full Job Description.
If you’re interested in applying for the role, please send your CV to stuart@elmdalemaintenance.co.uk

10th August 2022 saw the start of the final 10 Day Collins Aerospace Rally for Heroes, organised by SSAFA to raise money for military charities. The Rally aims to travel 5 miles for every service man or woman who has fallen in the line of duty, since the start of the Afghanistan campaign.

Elmdale Maintenance has been involved in supporting this event with money already raised for the charity and Service Director, Jon Palin physically taking part in this year’s event.

We will be following the progress of Jon and his navigator, Jo (who is also Jon’s wife, so no doubt she will keep him in check along the way), as they make their way across 10 countries in 10 days, in their limited-edition CS800 Ford Mustang.

Day 1: At 10.00am, the cars left Dover Castle and made their way to France, by ferry. So far so good. The goal for today is to drive 263 miles to reach the stunning city of Cologne in Germany where they will re-group and spend their first night. Let the adventure begin……

After a gentle drive through France and Germany the group finally arrive in Cologne.

With plenty of miles to cover on Day 2, the journey from Cologne to Prague was also a chance for the cars to let rip and release their power and noise along the German autobahns.

Weekend update:
Over the weekend Jon Palin – Elmdale’s representative on the Rally for Heroes – sent us some photos and an overview of an epic Day 4: As Jon said “Bratislava to Budapest, wow what a day!!!”

It started with a short trip to the Hungarian Border where the group was met by a Military Police escort and guided from the border to the F1 Hungaroring,. It was a dream come true for many of the drivers who were given carte blanche to drive a few laps of this hallowed track.

Once the adrenalin rush had subsided, it was on to Heroes’ Square where the 52 cars lined the square, before a memorial service and wreath laying ceremony, at the end of which the group handed over the 91 “Operation Shoebox” Care Packages, they had brought from home, to a local orphanage.

After what was a truly memorable day, the group headed back to the hotel to prepare for a night out for some more local cuisine and culture. Unsurprisingly, Day 5 was a day of rest but there was a chance to visit the thermal baths in Budapest and take in some therapy of a more retail nature, for gifts and souvenirs – and that was enough excitement for one day!

After a day of rest on Day 5, the next leg was the long drive from Budapest to Salzburg. The day was spent mostly behind the wheel with a brief stop for lunch. The weather was quite a challenge today as it changed constantly from hot and sunny to wet and stormy and this made driving around the twisty Austrian roads quite tricky in places. However, the scenery was stunning, as the convoy snaked on, with hills, mountains and tiny picturesque villages to take in along the way.

Eventually, the group arrived at their overnight hotel more than ready for bed but excited about the following day’s trip to Trento, in Italy, via the Grossglockener mountain which is the second highest mountain in Alps and a car trip just isn’t complete without a hairy mountain pass or two.

As Day 7 unfolded it was clear that the drive to Trento, from Salzburg, was going to be stunning. The weather was absolutely perfect and the roads a dream to drive on and for mile after mile, the scenery was simply breath-taking.

On Day 8 the Rally for Heroes group set off from Trento in Italy really excited about the day ahead. Today’s drive would take them to Davos in Switzerland, via the Stelvio Pass! The pass is famous for some of the most winding roads in Europe, testing the mettle of even the most experienced and adventurous drivers.

Along the way there was so much glorious scenery to take in – chocolate box picture houses and steep forested slopes. The terrain grew higher and so did the expectations of the drivers – but there was a bit of a hold-up before the group could get going – no-one knew why – possibly a build up of traffic on the Pass feeling a bit “ginger” before plunging down the side of really steep mountain. However, finally, it was all systems go and the twists and turns didn’t disappoint. A cracking day was had by all (including the passengers) with the group enjoying the challenge and the experience in equal measure. 

When the cars finally arrived in Davos, they were greeted by the magnificent site of their hotel for the night, the Alpen Hotel in Davos – a futuristic styled gold building and, as Jon described it “..it looks like it’s designed from a Faberge egg!” . Well, after such a drive, a bit of luxury and style was just what the doctor ordered.

Time flies and, in the case of the Rally for Heroes, the days have certainly done just that! It’s Day 9 already and after the Group’s stay in the quirky Alpen Hotel, it was time to wend their way back towards France and their next destination, Chamonix.

After the hair-raising Stelvio Pass, the group were to be treated to another of the Alpine Passes, the San Bernadino Pass – not quite as steep but spectacular nonetheless. With more breath-taking vistas (and some rather strange locals) to marvel at, it was another sensational day at the wheel and a well-earned rest at yet another whacky hotel in Chamonix, the Hotel Alpina was most welcome.