1.0 - Introduction
HighGround is your secret weapon, giving you the power to show your clients not only where they stand but where they could be—thanks to your expertise. The magic behind this transformation lies in the Cyber Resilience score, which is generated directly from our Governance and Resilience module.
But hold on—this score isn’t something that just magically appears. Your clients will need to roll up their sleeves, get involved, and provide some solid evidence along the way (yes, there’s work to be done!).
The Governance and Resilience module features nine key components that your clients must complete. As they work through these components and check off each item, their Cyber Resilience score will begin to take shape. Think of it like leveling up in a game—only this time, the reward is a stronger, more secure business that’s better equipped to handle cyber threats.
Tip: you can give your clients a login to HighGround using a premium license so they can co-manage their cyber governance & resilience with you.
2.0 - Aligning to Security & Data Privacy Frameworks
2.1 - Security Frameworks
Security Frameworks are developed through the combined efforts of industry groups, government agencies, and standard-setting organizations. These entities have a deep understanding of security risks and best practices, working together to create comprehensive and widely recognized frameworks.
By adopting a security framework, you're gaining access to a structured set of guidelines and best practices that are specifically designed to protect your most critical assets—like data, systems, and networks. These frameworks provide a clear roadmap for identifying, managing, and mitigating risks related to cyber threats. This ensures that not only is your organization’s data secure, but that your clients' sensitive information is protected as well.
2.2 - Data Privacy Frameworks
Data Privacy Frameworks are developed by a combination of regulatory bodies, Industry groups and international standard-setting organizations have extensive expertise in data protection laws, privacy concerns, and best practices. These organizations collaborate to create comprehensive frameworks specifically designed to safeguard personal and sensitive information.
By adhering to a data privacy framework, you are following structured guidelines that ensure your organization collects, processes, stores, and shares personal data in a responsible and legally compliant manner.
These frameworks offer clear, actionable steps to help you identify, manage, and reduce the risks related to privacy breaches and data misuse. This ensures that both your organization and your clients' personal data are protected from unauthorized access or disclosure.
Most importantly, these frameworks provide a solid foundation for maintaining customer trust and confidence in how their data is managed and safeguarded.
3.0 - Cyber Insurance
In today’s increasingly connected world, businesses of all sizes are facing mounting threats from cyberattacks and data breaches. With the rise of sophisticated hacking techniques, ransomware, and phishing scams, safeguarding your business from financial and operational fallout has never been more crucial. One of the most effective ways to manage these risks is by securing a comprehensive cyber insurance policy.
What Is Cyber Insurance?
Cyber insurance provides crucial financial protection and support in the event of a cyber incident. It covers a wide range of expenses, including those related to data breaches, ransomware attacks, business interruptions, and regulatory fines. From legal fees to customer notification costs, a well-structured policy helps your business recover swiftly and minimize the long-term effects of an attack.
To learn more about cyber insurance in HighGround read our Managing your clients Cyber Insurance article.
4.0 - Information Security Policies
Information Security Policies provide clear guidelines for managing data, controlling access, and protecting your IT environment from cyber threats. These policies are crucial for maintaining security, ensuring compliance, and fostering consistency within your organization.
What Is an Information Security Policy?
An Information Security Policy is an official document that outlines your organization’s approach to safeguarding its data and IT assets. It defines acceptable use, access controls, data management practices, and the protocols to follow in the event of a security incident.
Think of it as your organization’s rulebook for security—helping ensure that everyone understands what’s expected of them and how to handle data responsibly and securely.
To learn more about managing Information Security Policies in HighGround, read our Managing your clients information security policies article.
5.0 - Cyber Risk Assessments
In the fast-paced world of technology, staying ahead of cyber threats is not just a best practice - it’s essential. A cyber risk assessment is a critical step in identifying security risks, giving you time to address them before the bad buys come knocking.
What Is a Cyber Risk Assessment?
A cyber risk assessment is a thorough evaluation of your IT environment to identify potential security risks. It involves analyzing devices, servers, network infrastructure, applications, file permissions, cloud services and any other configuration to identify weaknesses, misconfigurations, bad practices or anything that could get you in trouble if you don't fix it.
To learn more about performing Cyber risk assessments in HighGround read our Performing a Client Cyber Risk Assessment article.
Note: a cyber risk assessment is not the same as a penetration test or vulnerability assessment. Whilst it may encompass some of the same components, it is about assessing overall risk to the business and pointing out specific actions that should be taken to reduce or mitigate them.
6.0 - Cyber Incident Response Planning
A Cyber Incident Response Plan (CIRP) is a documented, strategic approach for responding to and recovering from cybersecurity and information security incidents.
It serves as a step-by-step guide that empowers organizations to act swiftly and effectively when faced with threats such as ransomware attacks, data breaches, and insider threats.
Why Your Client Needs a CIRP
In today’s ever-evolving threat landscape, cybersecurity incidents aren’t a matter of if, but when. A well-structured CIRP provides several critical benefits:
Minimizes Damage: Quick containment and remediation can significantly reduce the impact of an incident, limiting both immediate and long-term damage.
Ensures Compliance: Many regulatory frameworks (e.g., GDPR, CMMC, HIPAA, NIS2) mandate that organizations maintain an incident response plan, helping your clients stay compliant and avoid potential penalties.
Enhances Preparedness: A proactive approach ensures your clients are always ready to act, improving response times and reducing operational disruptions through regular plan reviews, tests, and updates.
Protects Reputation: Efficient management of an incident helps maintain trust with clients and stakeholders, demonstrating your client’s commitment to security and responsible data management.
Reduces Costs: Fast, effective action can prevent the financial losses associated with extended downtime, data recovery efforts, and regulatory fines.
To learn more about Incident Response Planning in HighGround, read our Managing your Clients Cyber Incident Response Plan article.
7.0 - IT Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery (BCDR) Planning
Building and maintaining an IT BCDR (Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery) Plan is an essential investment in ensuring your business can recover in the event of a major IT incident, including cyberattacks. A well-crafted IT BCDR Plan combines two critical components:
Business Continuity (BC):
BC focuses on maintaining essential business operations during a disruption. Whether it’s a system failure, a natural disaster, or a cybersecurity incident, BC aims to minimize downtime and keep your services running smoothly, ensuring your business can continue to serve customers without interruption.
Disaster Recovery (DR):
DR involves restoring systems, data, and infrastructure to normal operating conditions after a disruption. This includes backup solutions, recovery procedures, and failover strategies designed to help your business bounce back quickly, minimizing the long-term impact of the incident.
Why is BCDR Important?
In today’s always-on business world, downtime isn’t just an inconvenience—it’s expensive. An IT BCDR Plan is critical for:
Minimizing Downtime: Prolonged outages can lead to productivity loss, poor customer satisfaction, and a significant dip in revenue. A robust IT BCDR Plan ensures your business can keep running even during disruptions, helping you maintain operations with minimal impact.
Protecting Data: Data loss can have far-reaching consequences, from compliance issues to missed business opportunities. Regular backups and a solid recovery plan safeguard your critical information, ensuring it’s always protected and recoverable.
Maintaining Reputation: Your clients rely on consistent, uninterrupted service. A well-executed IT BCDR Plan demonstrates reliability and resilience, helping you maintain trust and confidence even during challenging situations.
Ensuring Financial Stability: The costs associated with downtime, data loss, and recovery efforts can be significant. An effective IT BCDR Plan helps mitigate these risks, preventing financial losses and ensuring your business remains financially stable in the face of disruptions.
To learn more about IT BCDR Planning in HighGround, read our Managing your Clients IT Business Continuity Disaster Recovery Plan article.
8.0 - Cyber Reviews with the Board or Senior Management
In today’s digital landscape, cybersecurity is no longer just an IT issue—it’s a business-critical priority. As cyber threats evolve, organizations must ensure that their leadership, including the board of directors, is well-informed and actively engaged in cybersecurity strategies. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is through cyber reviews with the board.
Why Are Cyber Reviews with the Board Important?
Strategic Alignment: Cybersecurity is not just about technology; it’s about safeguarding business operations and protecting organizational assets. Regular cyber reviews help align security initiatives with business objectives, ensuring that cybersecurity strategies support broader company goals.
Risk Management: The board is responsible for overseeing risk at the highest level. By conducting cyber reviews, you provide them with critical insights into the organization’s threat landscape, current vulnerabilities, and risk mitigation strategies. This proactive approach can prevent potential financial, legal, and reputational damage.
Regulatory Compliance: Many industries are subject to stringent cybersecurity regulations. Keeping the board informed about compliance requirements and the organization’s current compliance status helps avoid costly penalties and ensures adherence to industry standards.
Resource Allocation: When the board understands the potential risks and the measures needed to address them, it becomes easier to secure the budget and resources necessary to address risks. This could include investments in technology, staff training, or third-party security assessments.
To learn more about Performing Cyber Reviews with your Board in HighGround, read our Performing a Cyber Review with your Clients board or SMT article.
9.0 - Managing Cyber Essentials Certification (UK Only)
Cyber Essentials is a UK government-backed certification designed to help organizations protect themselves against the most common cyber threats. It demonstrates that an organization has implemented basic cybersecurity measures, which is increasingly important when dealing with government contracts or clients who prioritize security.
Achieving Cyber Essentials certification offers several benefits:
Enhanced Credibility: Demonstrates a commitment to cybersecurity to clients and partners, especially Cyber Essentials Plus.
Protection Against Common Threats: Reduces the risk of cyberattacks by addressing basic security vulnerabilities and misconfigurations.
Access to Government Contracts: Many public sector contracts require Cyber Essentials certification as a minimum standard.
Potential Insurance Benefits: Some insurers offer lower premiums to Cyber Essentials certified organizations.
To learn more, read our Managing your Clients UK Cyber Essentials Accreditation article.
10.0 - Free Resources
HighGround provides free resource packs to all users, offering a valuable head start in protecting your clients. These resources cover the essential areas you should focus on when enhancing your clients’ cybersecurity, along with practical guidance on how to do it effectively.
You’ll also find ready-made templates that can save you time and effort, helping you implement robust security measures quickly and confidently.
Whether you're building a security strategy from scratch or refining your current approach, these resources are here to support you every step of the way.
To learn more about free resources in HighGround please read our Free resources article.