Establishing a cyber security baseline is crucial for closing any existing vulnerabilities in your systems and protecting your business against cyber threats. Many clients ask us, “How can I do a cyber security assessment?” due to concerns about the security of their IT systems. Fortunately, at Northstar, we specialise in conducting comprehensive cyber security assessments to identify and address these vulnerabilities.

Let’s outline the key steps and components involved in a thorough cyber security assessment. From identifying potential vulnerabilities to implementing effective security protocols, we’ll guide you through what to expect during an evaluation of your organisation’s cyber security posture.

What is a Cyber Security Assessment?

A cyber security assessment is a comprehensive evaluation of an organization’s IT infrastructure, policies, and practices to identify potential vulnerabilities and threats. This process involves analysing systems, networks, and data to determine their current security status and uncover any weaknesses that could be exploited by cybercriminals. By conducting a cyber security assessment, businesses can implement effective security measures to protect their sensitive information and ensure the integrity of their operations. The assessment typically includes a review of security protocols, risk management strategies, and compliance with industry standards and regulations.

How Do We Perform a Cyber Security Assessment?

When we take on new customers, we perform a comprehensive cyber security assessment to determine the security level of your IT systems. Our process involves several key steps:

1. Initial Meeting with a Virtual IT Director

We start by conducting a comprehensive Virtual IT Director meeting. During this detailed session, we thoroughly review your IT and operational systems to identify potential security vulnerabilities and understand your overall IT environment.

2. Evaluating IT Systems and Data

We ask specific questions to gain a deeper understanding of your IT environment:

• Software Usage: What software are you using and how critical is it to your operations?
• Data Risk Assessment: Do you know what kind of data you store and how risky it is? For example, patient data or credit card details are considered high-risk, whereas marketing photos are less risky.

By asking these questions and reviewing your IT systems in detail, we can gauge your awareness of potential risks and what measures are currently in place to protect your data effectively.

3. Assessing Operational Security

Security vulnerabilities cannot be fixed with tools alone. We evaluate your operational practices by asking:

• Do your managers prioritise business security in their daily operations?
• Is there a security culture from the top to the bottom of your business?
• Are your emails secure with encryption and other security measures?
• Do you use two-factor authentication to protect sensitive accounts?
• Are your staff trained to spot and flag phishing emails effectively?

If you are unaware of these security measures, our experts can meet with you monthly to address any security risks identified in the assessment.

4. Achieving Security Certifications

We assist you in achieving certifications like Cyber Essentials, Cyber Essentials Plus or ISO 27001. These certifications are beneficial because:

• They provide industry accreditations, showing your customers, employees, and stakeholders that you take data security seriously and are committed to protecting their information.
• They help you make your business more secure by offering an achievable list of security goals and best practices.

By following these steps, we ensure that your business is well-protected against cyber threats and that you have a robust security framework in place to maintain ongoing security and compliance.

4. Achieving Security Certifications

We assist you in achieving certifications like Cyber Essentials, Cyber Essentials Plus or ISO 27001. These certifications are beneficial because:

• They provide industry accreditations, showing your customers, employees, and stakeholders that you take data security seriously.
• They help you make your business more secure by offering an achievable list of security goals.

By following these steps, we ensure that your business is well-protected against cyber threats and that you have a robust security framework in place.

Common Vulnerabilities Found In Our Assessments

Our security assessments frequently uncover a variety of risks that can compromise the integrity and security of your IT systems. Here are some of the most common vulnerabilities we identify:

1. Inadequate Protection Against Phishing Attacks

Many organisations lack robust defences against phishing attacks, leaving them susceptible to fraudulent emails designed to steal sensitive information.

2. Weak Password Policies

Weak or poorly enforced password policies make it easy for cybercriminals to gain unauthorised access to systems and data. See our advice on password security here.

3. Lack of Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Without two-factor authentication, systems are more vulnerable to unauthorised access, even if passwords are compromised.

4. Insufficient Monitoring Software

A lack of adequate monitoring software means potential security breaches can go undetected, increasing the risk of data loss or theft.

5. Outdated Networking Equipment

Using outdated networking equipment can introduce vulnerabilities that modern cyber threats can easily exploit.

6. Inadequate Log Monitoring

Failing to monitor logs effectively can prevent the timely detection of suspicious activities or breaches.

7. Poorly Configured Web Content Filtering

Web content filtering that is incorrectly configured or non-existent can expose your network to malicious websites and harmful content.

8. Unprotected Mobile Devices

Mobile devices that access critical business data without proper security measures pose significant risks to data security.

9. Outdated or Incorrectly Configured Firewalls

Firewalls that are not up-to-date or properly configured can fail to block unauthorised access and threats.

10. Lack of Data Encryption

Without data encryption, sensitive information is vulnerable to interception and theft during transmission or storage.

11. Poorly Configured Data Backups

Data backups that are not correctly configured can make it difficult, if not impossible, to restore data in the event of a disaster. Even well-configured backups can take too long to restore, causing service disruptions.

12. Unawareness of Data Exposure on the Dark Web

Many organisations are unaware that their data may already be compromised and available for sale on the dark web, exposing them to further security risks.

Free Initial Assessment

By identifying and addressing vulnerabilities, you can significantly enhance your organisation’s security posture and protect critical data from potential breaches. Regularly review and update your security protocols to keep pace with evolving threats.

To help you get started, we offer a free, no-obligation initial assessment meeting. This session provides an overview of your security vulnerabilities in a format similar to our Virtual IT Director Meeting. For more information about obtaining a free cyber security assessment, contact us today.