Colonial Group International Ltd has been awarded a top cybersecurity business protection certification.

The Bermuda-based holding company received Cyber Essentials Plus certification from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), a UK Government organisation that helps public and private-sector organisations protect themselves from cyber attacks.

Cyber Essentials Plus is the highest accreditation offered by the NCSC, requiring the implementation of key controls to defend against cyber attacks. These include:

• Secure configuration of mobile devices and system endpoints.

• System-wide firewalls.

• Access control.

• Patch management.

• Malware protection.

Colonial’s defences against cyber attack were tested in all its operating jurisdictions including Bermuda, Cayman, The Bahamas, British Virgin Islands, Barbados and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

“Cybersecurity is a big and growing challenge for virtually all businesses today,” Ben Mobley, Colonial’s technology security officer, said.

“It requires vigilant, proactive management, and the Cyber Essential Plus certification — a first for Bermuda — reflects our approach to the challenge.”