On 14th October, Cranfield University Technology Park held a seminar on Cyber Security looking at the risks for small businesses and the importance of staying on top of digital threats.

Top Tips

The event was held at the Cranfield Innovation Centre’s conference suite and led by Phil Cobley of the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU), which is tasked with supporting businesses across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex.

A full copy of Phil’s presentation is available to download here.

In addition, these are our top tips from the event which can also be downloaded.

Cyber Crime

• Cyber Crime is crime. Technical definitions include Cyber Dependent Crimes where digital systems are attacked using other digital systems, and Cyber Enabled Crimes where the internet has enabled ‘existing’ crime types to be transformed in scale or form.
• Any ‘smart’ item could be the target or cyber crime, including computers, phones and even fridges…

The Cost

• In 2013 Cyber Crime cost the UK economy £49bn and in 2014 60% of SMEs suffered a cyber attack with an average cost of £65,000-115,000
• A huge number of SMEs – up to a fifth – don’t have any processes in place to protect themselves

Finding Help

• Get Safe Online is a free resource for individuals and businesses including breaking news on the latest threats. The site is endorsed by HM Government
• Cyber Essentials is a checklist and accreditation resource run through the Government site Cyber Streetwise. Undertaking the basic programme and checks through the Cyber Essentials scheme can help protect up to 80% of attacks
• The Cyber Information Sharing Partnership (CiSP) is ‘Facebook’ for businesses sharing cyber security expertise on messageboards, polls and news stories

About the events
Cranfield University Technology Park’s free business seminars are designed to suit the needs of growing businesses in the Milton Keynes and Bedfordshire, with topics ranging from finance and business development to apprenticeship programmes.

The events which include a networking breakfast are hosted in the Cranfield Innovation Centre offices’ conferencing suite and are open to all.

The events are delivered in partnership with Cranfield University, South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP) and Central Bedfordshire Council.