Fuel Card Services is now Cyber Essentials Plus certified after being recognised for its work to protect data.

James Lister, head of IT at Fuel Card Services

The government-backed, industry supported Cyber Essentials scheme helps organisations protect themselves against common cyber attacks.

To gain Cyber Essentials Plus certification, companies need to demonstrate they have taken action in five key areas:

• Boundary firewalls and internet gateways
• Secure configuration for all systems
• Access control
• Malware protection
• Patch management

Following an external audit in all these areas, Fuel Card Services has reached Stage 2.

James Lister, head of IT, said: “The scheme’s five security controls can prevent around 80% of all cyber attacks. These controls, combined with stringent security in all other areas of our IT infrastructure, mean we can provide as close to 100% uptime for our systems as possible.”

“It also means Fuel Card Services can now proudly state it is Cyber Essentials Plus certified, ensuring our customers can be assured their sensitive data is being protected in the most comprehensive of manners,” he added.

As the industry ramps up for the two busiest online days of the year: Black Friday on the 25th of November and Cyber Monday on the 28th, followed by the run-up to Christmas, Lister added: “Being awarded this certification just goes to show the level of security in which Fuel Card Services has invested, providing the reassurance fleet managers need just before the riskiest time of the year for cyber-fraud.”