Cyber criminals might stalk the internet, hacking, phishing and defrauding, but help is at hand thanks to a new initiative being trialled in Hillingdon.
The brainchild of borough commander, Chief Superintendent Nick Downing, it aims to give small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) an evolving programme of advice and support to help them fend off criminals who might put their very existence at risk.
“If you have a small business hacked, that can effectively put them out of business,” said Mr Downing, whose policing background is in financial crime fighting, and who in his previous role took the lead against ticket fraud at the 2012 London Olympics.
“One of the biggest threats to companies and business is cyber crime, fraud and that kind of thing,” he said.
He has teamed up with Hillingdon Chamber of Commerce, Hillingdon Council and the not-for-profit Cyber Security Challenge UK, which works to improve computer security.
Together they will offer a one-day conference on Thursday, November 13, free of charge and timed to be ‘business friendly’ – 6-9pm.
The conference, at Hillingdon Civic Centre in Uxbridge High Street, will bring together experts who will explain the scale of the threat of cyber crime to businesses, the types of threat and ways to recognise and protect against them.
If it is a success, it will become a permanent fixture, said Mr Downing, and tailored to the needs of users.
“I will look to run this event regularly around things that business will dictate to me.
“It’s really about understanding what the threat is and how to protect yourself.”
The conference is open to businesses wherever they may be. To register for the conference, or to enquire about advice even if you cannot attend, email XHMailbox.partnership@met.police.uk
