A unique partnership between the police, private sector and academia has been launched to help Yorkshire businesses fight against cybercrime and online fraud.
Tackling a highly organised criminal industry that costs UK businesses a staggering £27bn a year, the newly-launched North East Business Resilience Centre (NEBRC) brings together all seven of the Yorkshire and North East’s police forces alongside Sheffield Hallam University, Northumbria University and private sector cybercrime experts.
Led by South Yorkshire Police Supt. Rebecca Chapman, NEBRC is funded by a range of private and public partners, including the Police, and a wide range of business investors and members across the North of England.
The Centre has already attracted key business partners such as DLA Piper, HSBC, Barclays, Lloyds, CGI, Accenture, and Waterstones; some of the top cybercrime officers have also been seconded from the region’s police forces.
Now, with the launch the centre in a series of events across Yorkshire, SME business owners and managers will be able to:
- Gain the latest advice and support from leading police and security industry experts
- Learn quick and easy ways to protect your business online
- Meet “ethical hackers” who can spot the gaps in online security*
- Get free core membership to NEBRC for future cybercrime prevention
Said Supt Chapman: “NEBRC is a non-profit organisation which exists to support and help protect businesses from cybercrimes. Our unique connection to local universities and the seven regional police forces gives us exclusive access to the latest information on legislation, criminal trends, threats and new technology allowing us to provide the very best advice to safeguard staff, customers and business.
She added: “We have assembled a team of experts from across crime prevention, research and the private sector to help businesses prepare for and prevent future cyber threats.
“Cybercrime is a constant game of cat & mouse. The criminals who hide behind and utilise technology to commit fraud, theft and blackmail have no scruples in who they target or when. We have seen many businesses crippled by some form of cyber-attack and there needs to be a pro-active, preventive, approach rather than just a reactive investigation once the damage has been done.”
The free NEBRC seminars will be taking place in March and April at:
19/03/2020, 6.30pm to 7.30pm
Principal York Hotel, Station Rd, York YO24 1AA
20/03/2020, 8:30am to 10am
DLA Piper, Princes Exchange, 2 Princes Square, Leeds LS1 4BY
23/03/2020, 12pm to 1:30pm
C4DI, @the dock, 31-38 Queens St, Hull HU1 1UU
24/03/2020, 12pm to 1:30pm
Sheffield Town Hall, Pinstone St, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S1 2HH
31/03/2020, 8:30am to 10am
Wynyard Hall, Tees Valley, TS22 5NF
31/03/2020 5:30pm to 7:00pm
Ramside Hall, Carrville, Durham DH1 1TD
01/04/2020 8:30am to 10am
The Catalyst, The Core, Newcastle Helix, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 5TG
National Statistics:
- 1 in 3 of all UK businesses identified at least one cyber security breach or attack in last 12 months, with over 70% of these suffering more than 1. Most common types related to fraudulent emails or being redirected to fraudulent websites. (Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2019)
- Only 6.2% of computer misuse incidents were reported to the police in 2018-19. (Office of National Statistics 2020. Crime Survey of England and Wales 2019)
- Only 18% of businesses require suppliers to adhere to any security standards. When asked why some had not considered them as a source of cyber risk, or others thought it was not their responsibility. (Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2019)
- Only 7% of business have sought information or guidance from the Government or Public Sector Bodies. (Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2019)
Places can be booked via Eventbrite under a NEBRC search term.
