NALC achieves Cyber Essentials accreditation for the fourth consecutive year
We are pleased to announce that we have successfully achieved Cyber Essentials accreditation for the fourth consecutive year, reinforcing our commitment to strong cybersecurity and the protection of member data.
Cyber Essentials is a government-backed scheme, supported by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), which helps organisations guard against the most common cyber threats. Certification demonstrates that key technical controls are in place, including secure configuration, access control, malware protection and regular software updates.
According to the NCSC, most cyber-attacks succeed because of simple, well-known weaknesses, such as weak passwords, unpatched software or staff clicking on phishing emails. Many attacks are not highly sophisticated. They are automated and look for organisations that have not put basic protections in place. The NCSC's guidance shows that putting these essential controls in place can prevent a large proportion of common cyber incidents.
Our chair, Cllr Iain Hamilton, welcomed the news, "Achieving Cyber Essentials for a fourth consecutive year is an important milestone for NALC and reflects our ongoing commitment to protecting the data and systems we manage. We recognise the responsibility that comes with operating in an increasingly digital environment. Cyber threats continue to evolve, and we must continue to adapt. By maintaining these standards, we are protecting our organisation, our members and the services we provide."
Our IT support provider, Cloudy IT, played a key role in supporting the accreditation process. They stated, "Securing Cyber Essentials accreditation for a fourth consecutive year is a strong achievement. It demonstrates NALC's consistent and proactive approach to cybersecurity. We are proud to continue supporting NALC in strengthening their cyber resilience and protecting their members' data."
Cyber Essentials provides a clear and practical framework for parish and town councils to improve their own cyber resilience. With councils increasingly reliant on digital services, taking steps to secure systems, devices and data is essential. We encourage all parish and town councils to consider Cyber Essentials accreditation as part of their governance and risk management arrangements.
