ISO (International Organisation for Standardisation) is a global organisation that develops and publishes international standards. These standards provide a common set of guidelines and requirements for various industries and sectors, including the fields of technology, manufacturing, and business.

One type of ISO standard is the ISO 9001, which is a Quality Management System Standard. It outlines a set of requirements for an organisation to follow in order to ensure that it is consistently providing products or services that meet customer and regulatory requirements. An organisation that is accredited with the ISO 9001 standard has demonstrated that it has implemented a quality management system that meets these requirements.

There are many other ISO standards covering a wide range of industries and topics, including environmental management, information security, and food safety, to name a few. Obtaining an ISO accreditation demonstrates to customers, regulators, and other stakeholders that the business is committed to meeting high standards of quality and excellence in its operations.

To obtain an ISO accreditation, an organisation must first develop and implement a quality management system that meets the requirements of the relevant ISO standard. This typically involves identifying the processes and procedures that are necessary to ensure the organisation’s products or services meet the required standards, and then documenting and implementing these processes in a way that is consistent with the ISO standard.

Once the organisation has developed its quality management system, it must then undergo an assessment by a third-party certification body to determine whether the system meets the requirements of the ISO standard. This assessment may involve a review of the organisation’s documented processes and procedures, as well as on-site observations to ensure that the system is being implemented effectively.

If the certification body determines that the organisation’s quality management system meets the requirements of the ISO standard, it will issue a certificate of accreditation to the business. This certificate is typically valid for a period of three years, after which the organisation must undergo a reassessment to ensure that its quality management system is still in compliance with the ISO standard.

Obtaining an ISO accreditation can be a complex and time-consuming process, but it can also bring numerous benefits to an organisation, including increased customer satisfaction, improved efficiency and productivity, and enhanced credibility and reputation.

There are over 24,800 ISO accreditations available (that’s a lot, right!) and in order to choose those that will bring the most value to your business, you’ll want to consider the following:

• Research specific requirements for your industry
• Assess your business objectives and goals e.g zero carbon footprint
• Decide which accreditations will give you a competitive edge
• Conduct a gap analysis to improve on weaker areas of your business e.g Cybersecurity

For further guidance, please visit the ISO website at www.iso.org

Whilst we can’t provide certification, nor guarantee it, we can help ready your systems to pass the certification, from an IT perspective. We have a great understanding of ISO, holding 3 of them ourselves:

• ISO 9001 – Quality management
• ISO 14001 – Environmental management
• ISO 27001 – Information security management systems

If you need any guidance or just want a general chat about ISO, one of our It experts would be happy to help. You can reach us on 01843 572600!

Was Your Business One of the 50% Hacked Last Year?

According to a recent UK government survey, half of all businesses reported experiencing some form of cyber security breach or attack in the past year^[1]. The bad news is that the cyber threat landscape is constantly evolving, with attackers developing ever-more sophisticated methods. This means traditional security solutions may not be enough.

It’s a proactive approach that involves identifying, assessing, and mitigating potential cyber threats before they can cause damage. Threat management in cyber security focuses on continuous monitoring and real-time response, offering a stronger defence against today’s ever-changing threats.

In short, real-time threat management empowers your business to stay vigilant and prepared, ensuring business continuity and protecting your valuable data. Let’s look at how and why.

Cyber security threat management proactively identifies potential cyber threats, assesses their severity, and neutralizes them before they can cause damage. This involves constant monitoring of your network activity for suspicious patterns.

For example, advanced email scanning can catch a phishing attack by detecting emails with deceptive sender information or malicious links. Similarly, monitoring unusual login attempts and data transfers helps flag potential data breaches. Threat management systems also analyse system activity to identify malware attempting to exploit vulnerabilities and prevent infections.

Essentially, it’s about staying one step ahead of the attackers. Every attack starts quietly, by infiltrating your system through a seemingly harmless email, a hidden vulnerability, or an unauthorized login attempt. Cyber security threat management combats this by constantly scanning for these subtle signs of trouble and stopping them before they escalate into a full-blown cyberattack.

Cybersecurity threats come in various forms, each presenting unique challenges and requiring specific detection and response strategies:

1. Malware: It includes viruses, worms, and trojans, requiring robust antivirus solutions and real-time monitoring.
2. Ransomware: Malware that encrypts files and demands payment for decryption. It necessitates regular data backups and endpoint protection to prevent infection.
3. Phishing Attacks: Deceptive attempts to obtain sensitive information via fraudulent emails or websites. User education and advanced email filtering are critical for defence. Phishing attacks were the most disruptive form of attack in 2023^[2].
4. Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) Attacks: Overwhelming a target with traffic to disrupt service. Mitigation involves traffic analysis and scalable network resources to absorb the attack.
5. Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs): Prolonged, targeted attacks by skilled adversaries aiming to steal data or sabotage operations. Defence requires continuous network monitoring, threat intelligence, and incident response planning. APTs are a bigger problem for larger businesses than smaller ones.

The financial consequences of cyberattacks are undeniable. Recent reports show the average cost to fix one attack is a hefty £21,000. Alarmingly, only 22% of UK businesses have a formal plan in place to handle such incidents. This lack of preparedness extends to risk assessments, with just 31% of businesses and 26% of charities conducting them in 2024^[3]. The bottom line is that the majority of UK businesses, regardless of size, are vulnerable.

Cyber security threat management bridges this gap. Having an action plan empowers businesses to act quickly, potentially saving them tens of thousands of pounds. Furthermore, a strong risk management culture empowers employees to recognize threats. Your employees act as a crucial line of defence.

Cybersecurity isn’t a one-time fix; it’s an ongoing battle. Here are key practices to keep you ahead of the curve:

• Fortress of Awareness: Build a culture of cybersecurity awareness through regular training. Employees empowered to recognize threats become your first line of defence – they don’t click on suspicious links, or know what actions to take when they do. Encourage employees to report suspicious activity without fear of reprisal.
• Standardized Security: Adopt a recognized cybersecurity framework, like ISO 27001 or NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF). These frameworks are proven to work and promoted by cybersecurity experts because they provide a structured approach to building a comprehensive security program which includes both technical infrastructure advice but also things like creating strong passwords and roles based permissions.
• Proactive Assessments: Conduct regular cyber risk assessments. This includes identifying your digital assets, pinpointing potential threats, and prioritizing them based on likelihood.
• Actionable Plans: Don’t just identify threats, have a plan! Create clear, actionable protocols for responding to cyber incidents and breaches.
• Layered Defenses: Implement security measures in layers. This includes techniques like network segmentation, which isolates sensitive data on separate networks, and the principle of least privilege, which grants users only the access permissions they absolutely need to perform their jobs. This multi-layered approach makes it harder for attackers to breach your defences.
• 24/7 Vigilance: Implement real-time threat monitoring to detect and stop attacks before they escalate.

With half of businesses experiencing attacks, the stakes have never been higher. But fear not, there’s a way to fight back. BCS are an award-winning IT company with a proven track record in keeping businesses safe. We offer real-time cyber threat management solutions that go beyond basic firewalls. Our comprehensive approach, built on industry-leading frameworks and 24/7 vigilance, empowers you to proactively identify and stop threats before they wreak havoc.

Take control of your cybersecurity today.

Contact us for a free consultation or cyber security audit, and let’s discuss how we can help you build an impenetrable defence. Ready to learn more?

1. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/cyber-security-breaches-survey-2024/cyber-security-breaches-survey-2024
2. https://www.independent.co.uk/advisor/vpn/cybercrime-statistics
3. https://www.twenty-four.it/services/cyber-security-services/cyber-crime-prevention/cybercrime-statistics-uk/

You might not be aware, but there are currently three versions of Windows that are designed for different needs; Home, Professional and Enterprise. Windows 11 Professional (Pro) is an operating system designed and optimised for a business infrastructure and puts important business objectives like security, uptime & reduced costs at the forefront of your digital workspace.

So how can Windows 11 Pro help my business stay ahead of the curve?

Business Management and Deployment

Quicker Setup

Onboarding new devices & staff members has never been so easy or quick. Windows 11 Pro allows for your essential business applications and tools to be installed hassle-free; keeping downtime to a minimum. Additionally, Windows 11 Pro has smaller and fewer updates, allowing your staff to continue working whilst your machine updates in the background.

Automated updates

Windows 11 Pro updates can be easily automated, helping reduce management costs and giving your organisation full control of when updates are deployed. This means delivery of updates can be scheduled in advance and outside of working hours, allowing your staff to stayed focused and productive.

Cloud computing

Keep all business documents centralised and accessible, no matter where you are, with Microsoft Azure. Employees can use a single login both for logging into their device & using other Microsoft services, simplifying the logon process and limiting the need for multiple passwords.

Mobile device management

Work from Home and Bring-Your-Own-Device policies have provoked an increase in smartphone and tablet usage, allowing staff to stay connected and work flexibly. Windows 11 Pro allows for your organisation to manage these devices, allowing for company data and assets to be protected and secure. Without this feature, important company information could fall into the wrong hands.

Increased Security

Bitlocker device encryption

If a company device is lost to stolen, Windows 11 Pro has the ability to encrypt all the data on the device – making it inaccessible to any unauthorized individuals. This ensures that all systems and information is protected against further crime. If the device is returned to the organisation, simply enter the encryption key to restore the data safely.

Additionally, this unique feature would be an important step in reaching GDPR Compliance. As a business owner, the responsibility lies with you to ensure that Personal Identifiable Information (PII) is kept secure. Having the ability to encrypt data on company machines (especially mobile devices), reduces the chance of data loss and a GDPR breach, for which you can receive a maximum fine of 4% of your annual turnover.

Windows Information Protection (WIP)

A unique and effective feature that is only included in Windows 11 Pro is WIP, which makes employees aware of when they may be accidentally sharing company information to outside sources. For example, if you have sensitive information in your clipboard and you accidentally paste it into a personal document, windows will warn you that you are pasting company-related information in the wrong place. This is a great preventative technology that is readily available when upgrading to Windows 11 Pro.

If you are interested in upgrading to Windows 11 Pro or would like to continue the conversation with one of our IT experts – get in touch below.

To remain competitive and adapt to the ever-changing business environment, organisations need to ensure their employees have the necessary IT skills and knowledge in order to do their job effectively.

Investing in your employees through IT training is not only beneficial for the individual but also for the overall success of your Kent business. In this blog, we will explore the numerous advantages of providing IT training to your employees.

One of the primary benefits of IT training is the substantial increase in productivity that it brings. When employees possess a strong understanding of the technology tools and software they use daily, they can work more efficiently, saving both time and effort.

By improving their skills, employees can leverage technology to automate tasks, streamline workflows, and optimize processes, leading to improved productivity across the organization.

Investing in employee development through IT training demonstrates a commitment to their professional growth and success. Such initiatives show that the organization values its employees and is willing to invest in their long-term careers. This leads to a boost in employee morale and job satisfaction, creating a positive work environment. Employees who feel supported and empowered are more likely to be engaged, motivated, and loyal to your organisation. As well as this, if your workforce is able to troubleshoot issues themselves, they’ll experience less frustration and therefore better job fulfillment.

In an era where cybersecurity threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated, providing IT training to employees is crucial. Human error remains one of the leading causes of security breaches. By educating employees about best practices for data protection, safe browsing, email phishing, and password security, you can significantly reduce the risk of cyber-attacks. Well-trained employees act as an additional line of defense, making your organisation more resilient to potential security threats.

Employee turnover and hiring new staff can be costly endeavors. Instead of constantly recruiting new talent with the desired IT skills, investing in IT training for existing employees can be a more cost-effective solution. In fact, at BCS we provide internal IT training to every new member of staff so they get a kick start.

Upskilling your workforce allows you to cultivate the skills you need from within, reducing the reliance on external hires. Moreover, trained employees tend to have higher job satisfaction, which can lower turnover rates, recruitment expenses, and the associated costs of onboarding new employees.

Technology is evolving at an exponential rate, and businesses must keep up with the latest advancements to remain competitive. By providing staff IT training, you empower employees to adapt to new technologies and leverage them to drive innovation. Well-trained employees are more likely to embrace change and quickly adopt new tools and systems. This adaptability ensures that your organisation remains at the forefront of technological advancements and can swiftly respond to industry disruptions.

IT training can bridge the gap between different departments within your Kent business. When employees from various teams receive training on common IT platforms, they gain a better understanding of each other’s roles and responsibilities. This fosters collaboration and communication, leading to improved teamwork and more efficient project execution. Cross-departmental collaboration also promotes knowledge sharing and creates a culture of continuous learning within your organisation.

Here at BCS, our bespoke IT Staff Training courses will help you stay ahead in this digital age and empower your employees to reach their full potential. We offer easily digestible and flexible courses, that can be accessed anytime at your convenience.

We can cover a range of topics such as:

• Email Security and identifying phishing
• What is GDPR and how to stay compliant
• How to use Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint etc)

…and we can create bespoke sessions for your end users to cover any topic! If you’re ready to reap the benefits of Staff II Training in your Kent business, we’re only a call away on 01843 572600. 

Choosing the right IT partner for your business is really key. They’ll need to understand your business goals, your IT infrastructure and offer the right services to allow your business to thrive through technology. Keep on reading to find out more about what an MSP does and how to pick the right one for you.

What does MSP stand for?

MSP stands for Managed Service Provider, Gartner.com has a great definition of it which we’ll leave here:

A managed service provider (MSP) delivers services, such as network, application, infrastructure and security, via ongoing and regular support and active administration on customers’ premises, in their MSP’s data center (hosting), or in a third-party data center.

It’s important that the MSP you choose can deliver the right services for your business, for example if you are open 24/7, it’s a good idea to employ an IT partner that has an Out of Hours service. Additionally, they must fit within your budget and compliance requirements, otherwise you might see more problems up the road. Continue reading for some pointers on choosing a good fit for your business.

Local to you

You might notice that MSPs are usually tied to a specific area, and don’t tend to operate outside of it. There are many logical reasons for this, one being that if an onsite visit is required, getting to and from site won’t cost you as much due to the reduced travelling time required by the engineer. Less travel time = fewer billable hours, saving you a decent chunk of money. As well as this, having your IT partner close by is also beneficial for emergencies when having to borrow equipment or get your device fixed asap.

IT Experts

Of course, it’s super important that your IT partner knows what it’s doing, and has experienced engineers at hand to help you with your queries. An indication of an experienced and mature MSP is a demonstration that engineers have obtained certifications in their field, some to look out for are:

• CISSP (Cyber Security)
• Azure Fundamentals
• Microsoft Associate
• COMPTIA+
• Microsoft MD-100

A good Service Level Agreement (SLA)

Not all MSPs include an SLA in their contract, as it makes them vulnerable to scrutiny and puts pressure on their teams if they don’t have the right infrastructure. This means that MSPs who do have a timed SLA are likely to provide you with the best service, and guarantees that your issues will be dealt with quickly and efficiently.

Developing your staff

An IT partner that is committed to developing your staff’s IT literacy is going to be really good for the productivity of your business. The more your end user’s understand the systems and programs they are using, the less likely they are to get stuck and experience downtime. When making a decision on which MSP to work with, keep an eye out if they offer any educational opportunities for your workforce.