Start Your Cyber Journey: 4 Essential Steps to Protect Your Business

Struggling to get your Cyber Journey started, unable to establish Cyber Security within your business? You’re not alone. Whether you’re a small local business or a growing organisation in a highly regulated sector, getting to grips with cybersecurity can feel overwhelming. The good news? You don’t need to tackle it alone.

At PTC, we specialise in helping businesses like yours navigate this often complicated and jargon-filled world. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through a simple, sensible roadmap, from starting at ground zero to becoming a well-defended, cyber-aware organisation.

Cybersecurity isn’t just for the big players. Here’s why it matters for you:

• Cyber attacks are on the rise in the UK. Recent statistics show that over 30% of UK businesses have reported a cyber breach or attack in the past 12 months. The reality is, small and medium-sized businesses are just as likely to be targeted as larger ones, often because their defences are easier to penetrate.
• Supply Chain Security: Weak links in your supply chain can expose your business to risk. By taking security seriously, you protect not only your own data, but also that of your partners and clients.
• Business Resilience: A robust security posture means fewer interruptions, reduced financial losses, and the confidence to keep operating even if something does go wrong.
• Stand Out from the Competition: Showing that you take Cyber Security seriously helps you win trust, especially when bidding for contracts or handling sensitive data.
• Be Proactive, Not Reactive: It’s a bit of a trope in our world, but it’s true that too many businesses only think about security after something’s gone wrong. Prevention is not only better than cure, it’s cheaper too.

A lot of companies want to “do Cyber Security” but skip the basics and jump into the deep end. At PTC, we believe in building solid foundations before adding the advanced stuff. Here’s how we approach it:

Cyber 101 is all about laying the groundwork: We begin with our unique Security Benchmark Assessment, which gives you a snapshot of what you’re doing well and where you need to focus. You’ll get a clear understanding of your Cyber Maturity Level and how resilient you are to threats like ransomware. What you’ll receive:

• Cybersecurity Benchmark Assessment.
• A comprehensive Policy Pack, including a handbook on how to implement basic security measures, key policy templates that every business, regardless of size, should have in place.
• Optional quarterly vulnerability scans to monitor external threats.

All of this is packaged at an affordable price, specifically designed for SMEs, helping to lower the barrier to entry and get your cyber journey off to the right start.

The next logical step is Cyber Essentials. This is a UK government-backed certification scheme designed to help organisations protect themselves against common cyber threats.
By becoming Cyber Essentials certified, you demonstrate that you take security seriously and have key controls in place. It’s often a requirement for public sector contracts and can also help reduce your cyber insurance premiums.
We can guide you through both levels Cyber Essentials (CE) and Cyber Essentials Plus (CEP) supporting you throughout the entire application process. We’ll help you avoid common pitfalls and ensure your setup meets the required standards.

If Cyber Essentials is the second rung of the ladder, IASME Cyber Assurance is the next. This standard builds on Cyber Essentials and goes further, covering aspects like risk management, data protection, and business continuity.
It’s perfect for businesses with more complex needs or those working in sensitive industries. IASME Cyber Assurance helps you demonstrate a mature approach to Cyber Security and governance. It is considered a valid and cost-effective alternative to ISO 27001, making it more feasible for smaller organisations to compete.
Our team will support you through assessment and implementation, ensuring your policies, processes and technical controls are aligned with the standards requirements.

This is the pinnacle of security testing. Penetration Testing, or “pen testing”, involves one of our skilled assessors simulating a real-world cyber attack on your systems.
Using professional-grade tools and guided by industry-approved methodology, we test your infrastructure, applications, and networks to uncover vulnerabilities before a malicious hacker does.
This kind of testing is essential for organisations that handle sensitive data or operate critical systems. It gives you peace of mind and a clear roadmap for improvement.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your security to the next level, PTC is here to help. Our approach is practical, straightforward, and tailored to your needs, not filled with unnecessary jargon or one-size-fits-all solutions.
Get in touch today, and we’ll guide you through every step of the journey.