1.0 - Introduction
HighGround is like your secret weapon, helping you show your clients not just where they are, but where they could be - with your guidance. At the heart of this magic is the Cyber Resilience score, which is pulled straight from our Governance and Resilience module.
But hold up - this score doesn’t just appear out of thin air. Your clients need to roll up their sleeves and actually get things done (and, yes, provide some evidence too).
The Governance and Resilience module comes with nine components that your clients need to fill out. As they check off those boxes, their Cyber Resilience score will start to take shape, kind of like levelling up in a game—except the reward is a stronger, safer business.
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 by a combination of industry groups, government agencies, and standard-setting organizations. These groups have a deep understanding of security risks and best practices, and they collaborate to create comprehensive, widely accepted frameworks.
By following a framework, you are tapping into structured guidelines and best practices designed to help you protect your critical assets, such as data, systems, and networks. They help you to build a roadmap to identify, manage, and mitigate risks related to cyber threats, ensuring that both your organization and your clients' data remain secure.
2.2 - Data Privacy Frameworks
Data Privacy Frameworks are developed by a combination of regulatory bodies, industry groups, and international standard-setting organizations. These organizations have extensive expertise in data protection laws, privacy concerns, and best practices, and they work together to create comprehensive frameworks designed to safeguard personal and sensitive information.
By adhering to a data privacy framework, you are following structured guidelines aimed at ensuring that your organization collects, processes, stores, and shares personal data in a responsible and legally compliant way.
These frameworks provide clear and actionable steps to help you identify, manage, and minimize risks related to privacy breaches and data misuse, ensuring that both your organization and your clients' personal data are protected from unauthorized access or disclosure.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, they provide a foundation for maintaining customer trust and confidence in how their data is handled.
3.0 - Cyber Insurance
In today’s hyper-connected world, businesses of all sizes face increasing threats from cyberattacks and data breaches. With the rise of sophisticated hacking techniques, ransomware, and phishing schemes, protecting your business from financial and operational fallout has never been more critical. One of the most effective ways to mitigate these risks is through a comprehensive cyber insurance policy.
What Is Cyber Insurance?
Cyber insurance provides financial protection and support in the event of a cyber incident. It covers expenses related to data breaches, ransomware attacks, business interruption, and regulatory fines. From legal fees to customer notification costs, a robust policy can help your business recover quickly and minimize long-term impacts.
To learn more about cyber insurance in HighGround read our Managing your clients Cyber Insurance article.
4.0 - Information Security Policies
Information Security Policies establish clear guidelines for managing data, controlling access, and protecting your IT environment from cyber threats. It’s an essential tool for maintaining security, compliance, and consistency within your organization.
What Is an Information Security Policy?
Information Security Policies are official documents outlining an organization’s approach to safeguarding its data and IT assets. It defines acceptable use, access controls, data management practices, and protocols for responding to security incidents.
Think of it as your organization’s rulebook for security—ensuring everyone knows what’s expected of them and how to handle data responsibly.
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, any and all cybersecurity and information security incidents.
It serves as a step-by-step guide that enables organizations to act swiftly and effectively when faced with threats like ransomware attacks, data breaches and insider threats.
Why Your Client Needs a CIRP
In today's threat landscape, cybersecurity incidents are not a matter of if but when. A well-structured CIRP offers several key benefits:
Minimizes Damage: Rapid containment and remediation actions can significantly reduce the impact of an incident.
Ensures Compliance: Many regulatory frameworks (e.g. GDPR, CMMC, HIPAA, NIS2) require organizations to maintain an incident response plan.
Enhances Preparedness: A proactive approach improves response times and reduces operational disruptions through regular reviews, tests and updating of plans.
Protects Reputation: Efficient incident management helps maintain trust with clients and stakeholders.
Reduces Costs: Swift action can prevent financial losses associated with extended downtime or data recovery.
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 Plan is a down-payment on ensuring your business can recover in the event of a major IT incident - including a cyber-attack.
An IT BCDR Plan combines two critical components:
Business Continuity (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.
Disaster Recovery (DR): Involves restoring systems, data, and infrastructure to normal operating conditions after a disruption. It includes backup solutions, recovery procedures, and failover strategies to help your business bounce back quickly.
Why is BCDR Important?
In today’s always-on business environment, downtime isn’t just inconvenient - it's costly. An IT BCDR Plan is critical for:
Minimizing Downtime: Prolonged outages can affect productivity, customer satisfaction, and revenue. A solid IT BCDR Plan ensures your business can continue operations even during disruptions.
Protecting Data: Data loss can have severe consequences, from compliance issues to lost business opportunities. Regular backups and recovery plans help safeguard your critical information.
Maintaining Reputation: Your clients rely on consistent service. Effective IT BCDR Plans demonstrate reliability and can help maintain trust, even when challenges arise.
Financial Stability: Downtime, data loss, and recovery efforts can lead to unexpected costs. IT BCDR Plans help mitigate these risks and avoid potential financial hits.
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.