Dean Group is now Cyber Essentials Certified

The various UK manufacturing industries have always been at the forefront of technological innovation, with existing processes significantly improved by implementing computer integration. Companies that invest in this increased digital presence have joined the growing trend of Industry 4.0. Still, with the many advantages, there are a few considerable risks, such as cybercrime.

Cyber attacks are a constant concern for online businesses but a necessary challenge to overcome, thanks to the advantages of online business and automated processes controlled by linked computers. At Dean Group, we have invested heavily in the latest digital and machine processes to make sure that our products are consistently of the highest quality. On top of this, we've recently succeeded in reinforcing their protection from cyber attacks by earning our Cyber Essentials certification. Read on to learn more.

What is the Cyber Essentials Certification?

The Cyber Essentials scheme stands as a robust, government-backed initiative in the UK designed to safeguard organisations from a spectrum of prevalent cyber threats. The Cyber Essentials certification covers two levels. The initial level is a solid foundation that assists organisations in implementing protective measures against a majority of common cyber threats. This guarantees basic safeguards and is the first line of cyber defence.

It is the UK Government’s answer to a safer internet space for organisations of all sizes across all sectors. Developed and operated by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), Cyber Essentials is considered the best first step to a more secure network, protecting you from 80% of the most basic cyber security breaches.

What Are Cyber Risks in Manufacturing?

Cyber threats are not just a concern for a single UK foundry but for the wider supply chain, they are a part of. The entire chain, from the upstream international suppliers to the downstream architects, product and machine designers, are all exposed to risks when one link has insufficient digital security.

One prime example is sensitive data regarding our partners and clients. Confidential customer and supplier data needs to be securely managed as this data ranges from proprietary product designs and customer information to details of our supply chains. Cyber threats, including data breaches and ransomware attacks, lead to devastating data losses. Failure to protect this data is unacceptable as it would disrupt our investment casting operations, compromise our supply chains and damage our relationships with clients.

Another area in which we diligently protect sensitive data is our 3D printing for investment casting service. We pride ourselves on the success of our CAD-based casting preparations, such as our casting computer simulations and rapid-casting prototypes. Still, all of these require we have detailed computer files on the intended designs from the client. These designs need to remain confidential, and that is only possible with the resources and training we’ve gained by earning our certification.

Benefits of The Cyber Essentials Certification for Us and Our Clients

By achieving the Cyber Essentials certification, we have tangible proof of our investment in implementing digital controls to eliminate cyber threats. It communicates a straightforward message to our customers: we value your data and are committed to keeping it secure.

From a business perspective, Cyber Essentials certification also positions us more attractively in the marketplace. Cyber security, today, is more than just a good-to-have attribute; it's a crucial factor in building business relationships. Our strengthened cybersecurity measures will attract new customers, particularly those alert to the rising digital threats. Additionally, certain UK government contracts require their manufacturers to be Cyber Essentials certified. As a result, this certification opens up new possibilities for us, including collaborating on more varied public sector projects, such as our recent work with the cloud cities of Barcelona.

Dean Group’s Successful Cyber Essentials Certification

Obtaining the Cyber Essentials certification was, for us, a new accreditation that also provided a significant amount of vital information that would allow us to continue operating our metal foundry with optimal digital safeguards.

Our path to attaining Cyber Essentials began with a careful self-assessment. To embark on this, we utilised a powerful tool recommended by the UK government:  the Cyber Essentials Readiness Toolkit. This tool served as our initial guide, providing us with a comprehensive framework to assess our existing cyber security measures.

Just as we must account for every detail in our casting operations to guarantee product quality, the toolkit pushed us to analyse every element of our cyber security measures. It enabled us to perform an inclusive self-assessment and establish a clear baseline of our cyber security status.

Utilising the toolkit, we progressively generated an action plan tailored to our specific needs as a steel casting foundry industry. This plan allowed us to strategise improvements to our existing security measures so that our steps towards certification led to real, beneficial enhancements in our digital defences.

As an accredited Cyber Essentials certification partner, IASME guided us expertly through the certification process. IASME's relationship in the process didn't end with guidance; they were critical in our attainment of the certification. As the certification body, IASME rigorously assessed our cyber security measures to make sure they met the high standards set by the Cyber Essentials scheme. Once they saw that our cyber security was solid enough to combat any cyber threats, we were formally granted the certification. However, cyber threats evolve and adapt over time, so our goal is to continuously improve and adapt our security measures to fight these threats.

Confidential Metal Casting at Dean Group

The Cyber Essentials certification is a significant achievement toward maintaining our company’s digital security. This certification is a testament to our commitment to protecting our critical data and the systems that support our die casting operations.

In addition, the Cyber Essentials certification assures our clients, partners, and stakeholders that we have the best cyber security practices in place. This is especially vital for our manufacturing and metal foundry operations, where trust in our ability to handle sensitive data securely is paramount. Contact us today to discuss how our range of metal casting services will fulfil the requirements of your next project.