Cyber Security - Are You Protecting Yourself

Cyber crime is on the rise in Scotland, but it is reported that many businesses are not treating the threat seriously, with only 50% of large businesses having a strategy to protect themselves against Cyber crime. The effects on such businesses can cost millions, with around a third of such attacks being significant enough to temporarily stop operations.

hackers 2Small business are also very vulnerable to cyber attackers, with more than a third of SME owners saying they have been the victims of cyber crime such as hacking, phishing and pharming, according to a study by Aviva.

According to the same study, 75% of those targeted said that it could cost up to around £1,000 to repair the damage and put things right again following the attack. The Office for National Statistics also noted that there were over 2.5 million recorded attacks by cyber-criminals on businesses in only 4 months covering May to August 2015. In Tayside and the North-East, targets have included everything from large-scale businesses right through to hairdressers, coffee shops and sole traders.

What Can You Do To Protect Your Business?

The Scottish Business Resilience Centre (SBRC) is an organisation that aims to create a secure Scotland for business to flourish in, with cyber crime being one of the major issues they are working to combat. SBRC is formed through a partnership between Police Scotland, the Scottish Government and a number of other organisations.

As noted by the Ethical Hackers working on behalf of SBRC, there are a number of simple things that businesses can do to drastically minimise their chances of being targeted. These can be as straightforward as knowing what is strong password, and what passwords are easily cracked by criminals, and knowing what to look out for in order to spot suspicious emails.

Elevator are working with partner organisations to host two events taking place in Dundee and Angus. SBRC's Ethical Hackers will be on hand to outline and demonstrate how cyber criminals may target you, and to discuss how you can protect yourself and your business. 

Topics covered will include:

  • How to update your devices to stay safe.
  • How to easily encrypt and back-up data for extra protection.
  • Which passwords are easily cracked and which aren't.
  • How to identify phishing emails and websites and other suspicious content.
  • Social media - how it can be used against you and what you can do to protect yourself.
  • Other ways you and your business can be tracked, and much more.

Make sure you come along and find out how you can protect yourself and your business now. Lunch will also be provided, and there will also be plenty of time to network and ask the SBRC Ethical Hackers any questions you may have.

 

Angus (as part of Angus Business Week)

Thursday, 15 September 2016 from 12:00 to 14:00

Auditorium, Angus Centre for Enterprise, Dundee & Angus College, Arbroath Campus, Keptie Road, Arbroath DD11 3EA.

Book your free place now: https://cybercrimelunchlearn.eventbrite.co.uk

 

Dundee

Thursday, 25 August 2016 from 12:30 to 16:00

Lecture Theater 2, Dalhousie Building, Old Hawkhill, Dundee DD1 5EN.

Book your free place now: http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/protecting-your-business-from-cyber-crime-tickets-26806901163?aff=es2

 

For further upcoming events, make sure you check our events page.

 

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