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A first-of-its kind free event for North Wales business owners on how to keep their businesses safe from cybercrime took place at Wrexham University on June 14. Hosted by North Wales Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales, the event, named Cyber Security North Wales, was a huge success and brought together more than 100 business owners, emergency services personnel, and government and third sector partners from across the region for the all-day conference.
Cybercrime is crime involving or targeting a computer, computer network or networked device. This type of crime is mostly carried out by cybercriminals or hackers for financial gain. Therefore, cyber security, or keeping safe from cybercrime, is a growing concern for everyone, including businesses. Cyber Security North Wales therefore featured key voices and organisations discussing simple steps that every business can take to protect themselves online.
The day began with a welcome and introduction from DC Roheryn Evans, North Wales Police Cybercrime team, Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales Andy Dunbobbin, and Professor Maria Hinfelaar, Vice Chancellor Wrexham Glyndwr University.
This was followed by a presentation of a video from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) small business team, who share free resources available to protect small businesses from cyber threats. The NCSC is the UK’s central organisation providing cyber security advice to government, business and public.
The Cyber Resilience Centre for Wales updated delegates on the support from government available to businesses to guard against cybercrime and a North Wales business then shared its real-life story as a victim of cybercrime and the impact it can have one the business, employees, and everybody’s mental health. The North-West Regional Organised Crime Unit presented on phishing emails; following which North Wales Police Chief Constable Amanda Blakeman presented her own thoughts on cybercrime and the determination of the Force to combat cyber criminals.
Police CyberAlarm shared news of their award-winning free tool, provided by local police forces and funded by the Home Office, that helps businesses or organisation monitor and report the suspicious cyber activity they face. Leanne Davies, Senior Lecturer in Cyber Security and Computing at Wrexham University, presented on the university is helping develop the next generation of computer professionals to help keep North Wales cyber safe.
As well as keynote talks, the event also featured an exhibition area and afternoon interactive workshops to enable delegates to keep their business operations secure from cybercrime. The workshops included sessions on understanding the threat ransomware poses to organisations; discovering ‘Exercise in a Box’ – a free online tool developed by the National Cyber Security Centre to help organisations test and practise their response to a cyber-attack; and a Cyber Escape Room hosted by North Wales Police Cybercrime team.
North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner, Andy Dunbobbin, commented: “The way crime operates has changed dramatically over recent years. Scams and online attacks currently account for almost half of all offences. The reality of these crimes means people can lose life savings in seconds, and businesses can lose their livelihoods and the confidence of their customers and suppliers.
“Just recently, we have seen several household names affected by the MOVEit Transfer tool ransomware attack. But cybercrime isn’t just a threat for big, multinational companies, it’s an issue for local SMEs here in North Wales as well. And these are businesses that can ill afford the cost and pain of a cyber attack. They have been through so much in recent years, with the pandemic, energy price crisis and cost of living pressures. As such, cybercrime is a further problem that for many businesses could prove fatal.
“That’s why it’s important that events like Cyber Security North Wales take place, so that business owners know the police and I have their interests at heart and so that they have the tools and knowledge to get on with doing what they do best – growing their businesses and driving the economic engine that we all depend on.”
Professor Maria Hinfelaar, Vice-Chancellor of Wrexham University said: “We are proud to be hosting the regional Cyber Security Business event today. The world of cyber brings us many benefits but there are also serious risks to be managed. We work closely with partner organisations to share good practice and help keep us safe. As a university, we are investing in the field of Cybersecurity as a key part of the Computing curriculum so that our students will be prepared for the workplace.”
To learn more about the dangers of cybercrime and how to combat it, head to the relevant section of the North Wales Police website: www.northwales.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/fa/fraud/online-fraud/cyber-crime-fraud/