Most small businesses know they need antivirus. The harder question is whether the antivirus they already have is enough.
Is it being managed properly? Are important software updates being installed? Would it spot ransomware trying to encrypt files? If something went wrong, would anyone know where to start?
For many smaller organisations, the answer is not to buy the biggest cyber security package they can find. It is to put a stronger baseline in place and make sure it is set up properly.
That is what Nest Protect is designed to do.
It brings together next-generation antivirus, automated patching and ransomware encryption protection in one straightforward package for smaller organisations.
It is not meant to solve every cyber security problem and that is important to say from the outset.
Who is Nest Protect for?
Nest Protect is aimed at small businesses and organisations that have outgrown basic antivirus but may not yet need a full 24/7 managed security service.
That could be a professional firm, school, nursery, care provider, charity, parish council or trades business.
It may also suit an organisation that has started receiving awkward questions from a customer, insurer, governor or supplier.
Questions such as:
How do you make sure your devices are patched?
What protection do you have against ransomware?
Who manages your antivirus?
If the honest answer is “we think Windows looks after it”, it may be time to take a closer look.
What problem does it address?
Cyber attacks do not always begin with a criminal using some highly sophisticated technique. Sometimes the opening is much more ordinary.
An update has been missed. Antivirus is installed but nobody is checking it. Windows updates have been postponed for weeks. A laptop is still running vulnerable software.
Nothing appears to be wrong, so the problem sits quietly in the background. Until it doesn’t.
Nest Protect is intended to reduce three common device-level risks: malware, unpatched software and ransomware encryption.
It also reduces the need to rely on someone remembering to check everything manually.
What is included?
Nest Protect includes next-generation antivirus, automated patch and asset management, ransomware encryption protection and support with Windows Firewall configuration.
We also help with deployment and setup because buying security software and configuring it properly are not always the same thing.
The package is designed to improve the protection on your Windows devices without burying you in technical language or giving you a long list of tools you may not need.
What happens first?
The first step is a conversation. We look at how many devices you have, what protection is already in place and whether there are any insurance, customer or compliance requirements to consider.
We also check whether Nest Protect is actually the right fit. If it is enough, we will say so. If it is not, we will explain why.
Once everything has been agreed, we arrange deployment. This can often be completed remotely, although the timescale depends on the number of devices and whether existing antivirus software needs to be removed first. We can also just send you the installer and licence key if you prefer to install yourself.
For a straightforward small business, we can normally begin within a few working days.
What does the customer receive?
The customer receives managed protection on the agreed devices, automated patching for supported software, ransomware encryption protection and help with firewall configuration.
They also receive a clearer understanding of what is covered and what is not.
Cyber security often becomes confusing because businesses are sold several different products without anyone explaining how they fit together.
Nest Protect is deliberately simple.
What is not included?
Nest Protect strengthens the device layer of your cyber security. It does not include everything.
It does not include full 24/7 managed detection and response, email security, Microsoft 365 backup, identity monitoring, staff training or Cyber Essentials certification as standard.
It is also not a guarantee that a cyber attack cannot happen. No honest cyber security provider should promise that.
Good cyber security is about reducing risk, adding layers and improving your chances of detecting, stopping and recovering from an attack.
For some organisations, Nest Protect will be enough as a starting point.
For others, particularly those handling sensitive information or facing insurance requirements, it may need to be supported by additional services.
How much does it cost?
Nest Protect starts from £3.99 per device per month plus VAT.
That means 10 devices would start from £39.90 per month plus VAT. We do offer volume and educational discounts.
The final cost depends on the number of devices and whether any additional services are needed. We confirm that before anything begins.
So, is Nest Protect enough?
For many smaller organisations, yes. It provides a stronger and more manageable baseline than relying on basic antivirus and hoping updates take care of themselves.
That is what we will help you work out.
Find out more about Nest Protect:
https://blackswancyber.co.uk/nest-protect-package/
No hard sell. No scare tactics. Just a clearer view of what is already in place and what may be missing.
