Introduction
Imagine discovering that your company’s website has been compromised, a cyber criminal has access to your data, has been able to inject malicious software, and has defaced your website. What if this could have been prevented by using a free and simple tool – provided by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC)?
In this article, we explore a great free service from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), called Check Your IP Address and Website. We examine its benefits, explain how it works, and provide guidance on its use.
Background
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is the UK’s authority on cyber security, dedicated to making the UK the safest place to live and work online. The NCSC provides a range of services to help organisations protect themselves from cyber threats. One of their offerings is called ‘Check Your IP Address and Website’ and is aimed at providing organisations with insight into their IP address and website security.
Benefits
- Protection from Cyber Attack: Review and action risks that can prevent unauthorised access
- Identifies Vulnerabilities: Helps identify weaknesses associated with the technology that relates to your internet connection and website
- Free and Easy to Use: A free service that’s very easy to use
- Helps Safeguard Data: Using the service and acting upon findings can help prevent data breaches
- Complementary to Existing Frameworks and Controls: The Check Your IP Address and Website service can enhance and supplement the effectiveness of cyber security, by checking and identifying weaknesses associated with your internet connection and/or website
- Compliance Support: By helping organisations identify and address vulnerabilities, the service can support compliance with UK data protection regulations and other legal requirements
How It Works
- Checks for Vulnerabilities: Identifies potential security weaknesses in your IP address and website.
- Runs in Seconds: Provides quick results.
- Informative: Offers detailed information on the vulnerabilities found and recommendations for addressing them.
Who’s Eligible to Receive It
The NCSC has a mission to make the UK the safest place to work online, and as such, they have made the Check Your IP Address and Website Service available to any-sized organisation based in the UK. This includes public sector bodies, private companies of all sizes, charities and not-for-profits, educational institutes, healthcare providers, and local authorities.
How to Get Started
- Visit the NCSC web page: Go to https://basiccheck.service.ncsc.gov.uk/ip-check
- Enter Your Details: The service will automatically detect your IP address and give options to check a different IP address and/or add a company domain name
- Check for Issues: A dialogue box will show results, indicating any issues found from the testing
- Reflect and Act: Review the results and take appropriate actions to address any identified weaknesses
- Repeat: When ready, repeat the testing to carry out ongoing testing and validation
- Set a reminder: Enter details in the web form provided to be sent a reminder to recheck for vulnerabilities
How We Help
At RB Consultancy Ltd, we support organisations with Cyber Security:
- NCSC Cyber Advisor certified – we’re proven to help organisations understand and implement technical controls
- NCSC Assured Service Provider – we meet the standards set by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC)
- IASME Assessor and Certification Body – we assess organisations and issue certificates for Cyber Essentials, Cyber Essentials Plus, and IASME Cyber Assurance
- Consultancy – with ISO 27001 Lead Implementer certification, we help organisations implement Information Security Management System (ISMS) and associated controls
Conclusion – How to use NCSC free service to check your IP address and website
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) offers a valuable service called “Check Your IP Address and Website” that helps organisations protect against cyber threats. By using this service, organisations can enhance their security, gain protection from cyber attacks, identify vulnerabilities, and help safeguard data. The service provides insights on IP addresses and website vulnerabilities and can be used by organisations of all sizes.
RB Consultancy Ltd empowers organisations through cyber security. We can provide insight into how we use this service and the associated benefits. Contact us for further information, advice, and guidance.
Information Sources
- NCSC Check Your IP Address and Website webpage: https://basiccheck.service.ncsc.gov.uk/ip-check
This blog is written by Remo Belisari, Managing Director of RB Consultancy Ltd. He is an experienced cyber security professional and cyber advisor. Remo holds certifications in CISSP, ISSAP, ISO 27001, Cyber Essentials, and IASME Cyber Assurance. He has many years of experience in IT and cyber security. He has supported organisations worldwide. His work includes helping a Fortune 500 company in the USA and over 100 organisations across the UK. The views in this blog are his own. They do not necessarily reflect the views of RB Consultancy Ltd, its clients, partners, or affiliates. The content is for general information only.