MEMBER ZONE


PROTECT YOUR ASSETS IN THE ‘NEW NORMAL’


Peter Hoinville (pictured) is the Founder and Managing Director of 4Secure Limited, a Northamptonshire based Cyber Security Specialist company established for over 17 years.


As our teams return to a “new” normal of business with more remote working, potentially with new devices hurriedly purchased and a focus, understandably, on making up for lost time, there’s a real risk we overlook the altered cyber threat. Sensibly, we should ensure that our security controls remain adequate, so I want to explore four key areas here:


1. Data encryption – people are working remotely so think what information might be vulnerable if their device is lost or stolen. If ‘personal’ information is compromised, you will also be liable under GDPR and risk losing the trust of your customers.


2. Remote access – a team outside the office is also outside your security perimeter. Can they access your IT systems securely? Ensure passwords and other authentication mechanisms are sufficiently robust to mitigate the risk of intrusion.


3. Devices – if you issued laptops in a hurry, did you set any rules on usage? Are they adequately protected from viruses and other threats? Can you account for these valuable assets?


4. Security updates – with a workforce all at home during lockdown, were any office systems ‘patched’ against new threats? People are returning to work and some emails might hide a nasty surprise!


It can be daunting to have to think about all this now, on top of everything else, but one option is to consider obtaining the Government-approved Cyber Essentials certification. This scheme provides assurance that critical cyber security controls are implemented, giving you the confidence to concentrate on business growth at this challenging time.


Visit: www.4-secure.com


GETTING ADVICE ON INCOME PROTECTION


We are now living in unprecedented and difficult times. Covid-19 has highlighted to us all the impact that elements out of our own control can have on our livelihoods and standard of living and the team at Cave & Sons believe it is important to reflect on, and review, your own financial circumstances to ensure that you have the right protection in place. If you are self-employed, your business is likely to be highly


PROVIDING SUPPORT


FOR FOUR DECADES The second in a series of two articles to celebrate their 40th year, Workbridge considers the recent past, and what the future holds.


Scott Kent, DipPFS financial planner


impacted even after a short period of incapacity. Income Protection is not just for the employed, it is also designed to help those who are self-employed and there are suitable policies available with shorter deferral periods. Income Protection is designed to pay out a monthly, tax-free ‘income’ to you as a result of an accident, illness, or injury, that can effectively replace your lost income as a result of not being able to work. Typically, these policies will pay up to 60% of your monthly earnings with this payable after an agreed deferral period.


EXAMPLE COVER The cost to implement an increasing Income Protection plan for a 35- year-old male earning £35,000 per annum would be approximately £40 per month. Should they then become seriously ill, or have an accident that leaves them unable to work again, they could claim through their Income Protection and would receive an increasing monthly benefit of £1,750 per month, tax-free, until they reached their 68th birthday. While we cannot control what may happen to us, we can at least


plan for these events and set up suitable provision to provide us with an element of protection. For a limited period of time the initial fee will be discounted by 25%, so should you wish to speak to a financial planner about how they may be able to help, please get in touch.


Visit: www.caves.co.uk


Like many charities, there have been periods of uncertainty for Workbridge. On their 20th anniversary, they put a call out to local organisations, schools and residents to help them in their appeal to raise £10,000 to sustain the service. Later in the decade, BBC Northampton supported them with a live broadcast appeal onsite. On both occasions, the support of local people was outstanding and saved the charity from near collapse. In 2009, Workbridge merged


with St Andrew’s Healthcare. To this day, their relationship has enabled Workbridge to continue to support more patients recovering at their hospital and provide opportunities for more people to gain work experience. The Covid-19 measures earlier


this year impacted Workbridge, like all businesses. With day sessions closed for adult social care, Workbridge sort ideas and found a solution to raise income for the charity by working with their neighbours Daily Bread Cooperative, an ethical wholefood supplier. Together, they stocked seasonal bedding plants, saving the


garden centre stock from waste and bringing the two organisations closer together during this period of uncertainty. As a charity and social enterprise,


Workbridge relies on the support of the public and local businesses in their endeavours to help and support people in the community with learning disabilities, mental illness, brain injuries and autistic spectrum disorder. At the heart of Workbridge is the


desire to support people to be the best they can be. Notable businesses to have pledged their support to Workbridge service users over the years include Michael Jones Jeweller, Avon, Barclaycard, Stanley Black & Decker, The University of Northampton, DHL, Square Feet Coworking and Daily Bread Cooperative. Workbridge would like to say


thank you to every one of these organisations!


For further information about Workbridge and how they support people with life and work skills, follow them on social media @workbridgeuk and visit their website www.workbridge.org.uk


OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020 inbusiness 31


‘A TEAM OUTSIDE THE


OFFICE IS ALSO OUTSIDE YOUR SECURITY


PERIMETER’


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