IT for Charities – Useful resources and guidance for your IT Security and IT Policies
As a charity IT specialist, IT Security and Policies are something we are frequently asked about, especially as most organisations are not operating in their usual working environments and, as so many staff and volunteers are using their own personal devices.
At Smartdesc, we believe that Data Protection is more about people and process than it is about technology (the tech is actually the easier part!). To this end, we focus on delivering Information Governance assessments, IT Security Awareness Training, and run ‘GDPR Health Checks’ for charities and non-profit organisation’s of all sizes.
Here we share some resources that our customers have found helpful;
IT Policies
Through our extensive work with charities, our Information Governance team have created a set of Charity IT policy templates which you can customise. These will assist your organisation especially if you don’t have any policies in place already.
To request your complimentary Policy Template Set, please email; solutions@smartdesc.co.uk Our Governance team are also available via this email should you require any assistance in completing these templates or should you require a bespoke template. One example of such is a Password Policy, which you can see here: Smartdesc Password Policy Template.
Cyber Essentials
The Government run Cyber Essentials accreditation has become the industry standard for charities to demonstrate their approach to IT Security Management when bidding for grants or funding. Smartdesc are proud to have helped many charities to achieve this accreditation. The ‘basic’ Cyber Essentials only costs around £300 and a few days of consultancy to complete the assessment, therefore, it is a cost effective way to get a handle on IT Security within your organisation and ensure you have at least the minimum bases covered. We can certify your charity for Cyber Essentials ourselves, so please drop us a line to discuss.
Smartdesc Secure
Building on Cyber Essentials, Smartdesc Secure is an enhanced suite of Data Protection controls that make up complete set of IT Security services – including staff training, process and policy improvement, penetration tests and Cyber Essentials, all at a single fixed monthly cost. It can provide efficiency savings of over £600 per month for a small to medium size organisation and includes;
- A bespoke Security Audit and Risk Register.
- IT Security Awareness Training for all your staff.
- Device and Server Protection and Patching.
- Cyber Essentials Readiness Report.
- Information Governance Policies.
- Data Protection Process Flows.
- Regular Penetration Tests.
- Proactive Threat Management.
If you would like to arrange some time with the Information Governance Team to discuss this further, please email; solutions@smartdesc.co.uk or call us on; 0203 440 2445.
Author; Carl Rowles, Customer Experience Manager
Smartdesc specialise in Charity IT and are offering any charities or non-profit organisations time with one of our highly experienced, charity focussed, Virtual IT Directors – free of charge during this time. They will be happy to answer any questions you may have or help guide organisations on the right path.
To get in contact, email; solutions@smartdesc.co.uk
Smartdesc is an NCVO Trusted Supplier and ACEVO Premium Partner.
