--- title: Solsoft Blog | Mike Ralston description: CEO --- [![Solsoft](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/hubfs/SolSoft_march_2018/Images/logo%20(1).svg "Solsoft")](http://www.solsoft.co.uk/) - [About us](http://www.solsoft.co.uk/About-us.aspx) - [Our services](http://www.solsoft.co.uk/Our-services.aspx) - [IT Managed Services](http://www.solsoft.co.uk/Our-services/IT-Managed-Services.aspx) - [Managed Security Services](http://www.solsoft.co.uk/Our-services/Managed-Security-Services.aspx) - [Secure web dev & management](http://www.solsoft.co.uk/Our-services/Secure-web-dev-and-management.aspx) - [Contact us](http://www.solsoft.co.uk/Contact-us.aspx) - [Support login](http://www.solsoft.co.uk/Support-login.aspx) # Blog ## Mike Ralston ![Picture of ](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/hubfs/0.jpg) CEO Find me on: ### Recent Posts ## [Do I need Cyber Essentials or Cyber Essentials Plus?](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/do-i-need-cyber-essentials-or-cyber-essentials-plus/cyber-essentials) Posted by [Mike Ralston](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/author/mike-ralston) on Dec 3, 2018 4:22:45 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![Cyber Essentials Badge](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/hubfs/ce-badge.png)](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/do-i-need-cyber-essentials-or-cyber-essentials-plus/cyber-essentials) What is it? [Read More](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/do-i-need-cyber-essentials-or-cyber-essentials-plus/cyber-essentials) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/do-i-need-cyber-essentials-or-cyber-essentials-plus/cyber-essentials#comments-listing) Topics: [Compliance](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/compliance), [IT](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/it), [Bristol](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/bristol), [England](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/england), [UK](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/uk), [Cyber](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/cyber), [Cyber Essentials](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/cyber-essentials), [Cyber Essentials Plus](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/cyber-essentials-plus) ## [Four steps to building a cybersecurity strategy - keep hackers out.](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/four-steps-to-begin-building-a-cybersecurity-strategy-that-keeps-hackers-out-of-your-business) Posted by [Mike Ralston](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/author/mike-ralston) on Nov 8, 2018 12:41:00 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![awmleer-421529-unsplash](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/hubfs/awmleer-421529-unsplash.jpg)](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/four-steps-to-begin-building-a-cybersecurity-strategy-that-keeps-hackers-out-of-your-business) According to the National Cyber Security Centre (part of GCHQ) if you’re a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) then there’s around a 1 in 2 chance that you’ll experience a cyber-security breach. [Read More](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/four-steps-to-begin-building-a-cybersecurity-strategy-that-keeps-hackers-out-of-your-business) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/four-steps-to-begin-building-a-cybersecurity-strategy-that-keeps-hackers-out-of-your-business#comments-listing) Topics: [Business Security](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/business-security), [Security](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/security), [IT](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/it), [Bristol](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/bristol), [England](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/england), [UK](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/uk), [Cyber](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/cyber), [Cyber Attack](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/cyber-attack) ## [Does your IT provider just fix things when they break?](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/does-your-it-provider-just-fix-things-when-they-break) Posted by [Mike Ralston](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/author/mike-ralston) on Oct 24, 2018 12:05:00 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![art-blue-broken-1107495](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/hubfs/art-blue-broken-1107495.jpg)](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/does-your-it-provider-just-fix-things-when-they-break) On the whole, this is what most organisations receive from their IT provider or internal IT dept. You might get a bit of monitoring and a few software patches applied, but usually not much else. Except of course, advice on what they need to buy! Which is obviously ‘commercially tainted’ as the provider makes profit from their own recommendations. This model is undoubtedly **broken**; it's reactive in nature and is a far from the ‘trusted partner’ relationship we all want from our IT dept/provider. [Read More](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/does-your-it-provider-just-fix-things-when-they-break) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/does-your-it-provider-just-fix-things-when-they-break#comments-listing) Topics: [Compliance](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/compliance), [IT](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/it), [Bristol](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/bristol), [England](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/england), [UK](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/uk), [Managed Services](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/managed-services), [MSP](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/msp), [MSP 501](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/msp-501) ## [Solsoft makes Channel Futures MSP 501 ranking list for 7th Consecutive Year](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/solsoft-makes-channel-futures-msp-501-ranking-list-for-7th-consecutive-year) Posted by [Mike Ralston](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/author/mike-ralston) on Sep 14, 2018 11:20:00 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![business man in start position ready to run and sprint on athletics racing track](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/hubfs/Stock%20images/business%20man%20in%20start%20position%20ready%20to%20run%20and%20sprint%20on%20athletics%20racing%20track.jpeg)](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/solsoft-makes-channel-futures-msp-501-ranking-list-for-7th-consecutive-year)   [Read More](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/solsoft-makes-channel-futures-msp-501-ranking-list-for-7th-consecutive-year) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/solsoft-makes-channel-futures-msp-501-ranking-list-for-7th-consecutive-year#comments-listing) Topics: [Business](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/business), [Compliance](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/compliance), [IT](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/it), [UK](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/uk), [Awards](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/awards), [Managed Services](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/managed-services), [Channel Futures](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/channel-futures), [MSP](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/msp), [MSP 501](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/msp-501) ## [IT Managed Security Services... What are the Benefits?](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/it-managed-security-services...-what-are-the-benefits) Posted by [Mike Ralston](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/author/mike-ralston) on Aug 17, 2018 3:00:00 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![Risk Ahead blue road sign](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/hubfs/Stock%20images/Risk%20Ahead%20blue%20road%20sign.jpeg)](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/it-managed-security-services...-what-are-the-benefits)   [Read More](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/it-managed-security-services...-what-are-the-benefits) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/it-managed-security-services...-what-are-the-benefits#comments-listing) Topics: [Business](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/business), [Compliance](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/compliance), [Business Security](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/business-security), [Security](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/security), [IT](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/it), [MSSP](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/mssp), [Managed Security Services](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/managed-security-services), [Bristol](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/bristol), [England](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/england), [UK](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/uk), [Cyber](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/cyber), [Cyber Attack](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/cyber-attack) ## [What’s the difference between Cyber essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus?](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/whats-the-difference-between-cyber-essentials-and-cyber-essentials-plus) Posted by [Mike Ralston](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/author/mike-ralston) on Aug 8, 2018 10:31:09 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![Cyber Security on the Mechanism of Metal Gears.](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/hubfs/Stock%20images/Cyber%20Security%20on%20the%20Mechanism%20of%20Metal%20Gears..jpeg)](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/whats-the-difference-between-cyber-essentials-and-cyber-essentials-plus)   [Read More](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/whats-the-difference-between-cyber-essentials-and-cyber-essentials-plus) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/whats-the-difference-between-cyber-essentials-and-cyber-essentials-plus#comments-listing) Topics: [Business](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/business), [Compliance](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/compliance), [Business Security](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/business-security), [Security](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/security), [IT](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/it), [MSSP](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/mssp), [Managed Security Services](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/managed-security-services), [Bristol](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/bristol), [England](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/england), [UK](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/uk), [Cyber](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/cyber), [Cyber Attack](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/cyber-attack) [All posts](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/all) ## Reducing Risk - Maximising Security ### Protect the future of your business. The risk of cyber attacks is continuing to grow year on year for businesses small and large. *So after receiving a lot of requests, we have decided it's time to change things - we're excited to share with you **The Solsoft Blog**. We have created it to keep you and your business safe from the ever-growing global threats, we bring you the latest and most important information in the world of business IT security.* Stay Safe: - GDPR Advice - Tips for your business - Preventing attacks - Compliance Updates - Much, much more... ### Subscribe to Email Updates ### Recent Posts ### Posts by Topic - [IT (7)](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/it) - [UK (7)](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/uk) - [Bristol (6)](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/bristol) - [England (6)](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/england) - [Compliance (5)](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/compliance) - [Business (4)](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/business) - [Cyber (4)](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/cyber) - [Business Security (3)](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/business-security) - [Cyber Attack (3)](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/cyber-attack) - [Managed Services (3)](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/managed-services) - [Security (3)](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/security) - [MSP (2)](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/msp) - [MSP 501 (2)](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/msp-501) - [MSSP (2)](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/mssp) - [Managed Security Services (2)](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/managed-security-services) - [Awards (1)](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/awards) - [Channel Futures (1)](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/channel-futures) - [Cyber Essentials (1)](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/cyber-essentials) - [Cyber Essentials Plus (1)](https://info.solsoft.co.uk/blog/tag/cyber-essentials-plus) see all ### Follow Me # Get in touch To discuss a proactive, business aligned IT and IT security solution, that guarantees to reduce cost, increase productivity and manage risk, get in touch today. - [About us](http://www.solsoft.co.uk/About-us.aspx) - [Our services](http://www.solsoft.co.uk/Our-services/IT-Managed-Services.aspx) - [Contact us](http://www.solsoft.co.uk/Contact-us.aspx) - [Support login](http://www.solsoft.co.uk/Support-login.aspx) - [Customer Login](https://ww4.autotask.net/ClientPortal/Login.aspx?ci=801137) Copyright © 2017 Solsoft Solsoft Group Ltd (Solsoft) is a company registered in England and Wales. Registered number: 07768426. Registered office: Queen Charlotte House, 53-55 Queen Charlotte Street, Bristol BS1 4HQ.