Up to ten Jersey organisations looking to protect themselves against cyber attacks can now apply for a free, tailored service to improve their cyber security.
Jersey Cyber Security Centre (JCSC) has launched Cyber Health Check. The service is designed for organisations who need guidance and advice to understand their cyber security strengths and weaknesses.
Cyber Health Check consists of three steps. First, the organisation answers a plain-English survey which covers eight different areas of cyber security. This includes technical areas like firewalls and secure configuration, but also practical questions like what type of passwords the organisation uses, and how people lock their devices.
JCSC then provides a report based on the organisation’s answers to the assessment. The report gives details of technical and practical steps the organisation can take to improve their cyber security measures. Organisations can also attend a free follow-up meeting to ask more in-depth questions about their report.
After the meeting, the organisation receives a Cyber Health Check rating, as well as a graphic which they can display on their social media pages. These graphics are designed to show that the organisation has participated in a Cyber Health Check, and is taking steps to improve their cyber security.
Finally, organisations can take an optional follow-up assessment, three months after their initial Cyber Health Check, to show how they’ve improved. They will then be issued with an updated Cyber Health Check rating.
The pilot phase of Cyber Health Check is open to organisations that:
- Were the recipient of a Significant Grant in 2024, as listed in Section 4.8 of the Notes in the States of Jersey Group 2024 Annual Report and Accounts (pages 193 – 195), or
- Are listed as an Arm’s Length Body in the Public Finances Manual (this includes States Owned Entities, States Established Delivery Entities, and States Established Independent Bodies or Office Holders)
Eligible organisations have until Friday 7 November to express an interest in a Cyber Health Check. Any future cycles of Cyber Health Check will be opened to a broader range of organisations, based on need, capacity, and demand.
Matt Palmer (pictured), Director of Jersey Cyber Security Centre, said: “We know from our work over the last three years that even if organisations are aware of the cyber security risks facing them, they may not have the knowledge (or funds) to achieve accreditation through a scheme like Cyber Essentials.
“We want to make sure that more organisations have the knowledge and support to improve their cyber security posture and Cyber Health Check is designed to bridge this gap. We’ve designed the survey to define key terms, and we provide a comprehensive report that explains what steps the organisation can take to better protect themselves against attacks.
“This means that a Cyber Health Check can indicate how ready an organisation is to take a Cyber Essentials assessment. This is valuable because Cyber Essentials not only provides protection and customer assurance, it also includes free cyber liability insurance.
“We’re only able to offer Cyber Health Check to a limited number of organisations, so I would encourage any eligible organisations who want to take a Cyber Health Check to contact us before Friday 7 November.”
