Demystifying Cyber Essentials

Cyber crime continues to be a growing concern for businesses of all sizes. In response, the Black Country Chamber Technology Special Interest Group is delivering a focused series of online workshops to help local businesses better understand cyber threats and protect themselves using the Cyber Essentials framework.

Cyber Essentials is a UK government-backed certification scheme developed by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to help organisations guard against the most common cyber-attacks. Each session in this series will break down one of its five core principles, offering practical steps and real-world examples.

This fourth session will explore Secure Configuration and Firewalls two foundational elements of good cyber hygiene. It will cover how to configure your systems to minimise vulnerabilities and how to set up firewalls to defend against unauthorised access.

You’ll learn how to:

• Apply secure configuration to reduce exposure to cyber risks
• Understand the function and importance of firewalls in your network
• Implement straightforward technical changes that strengthen your defences
• Work towards Cyber Essentials certification with practical, cost-effective steps

Whether you’re just starting to address cybersecurity or working toward accreditation, this session will help you make informed decisions about reducing your risk.