Business owners in Merseyside are being strongly urged to participate in a complimentary, innovative cyber security training scheme due to the rising demand for slots.
In the previous year, countless small business owners in the region have suffered substantial financial losses from online fraud and cyber-attacks, many of which might have been avoidable with better online protection measures in place. According to Action Fraud, Merseyside experienced 7,182 cases of fraud or cyber-attacks, resulting in reported losses of £28.6 million over the past year.
The Merseyside Cyber Security Programme, which is underwritten by funds acquired from the Proceeds of Crime Act and supported by both Police Commissioner Emily Spurrell and Chief Constable Serena Kennedy, aims to combat this issue. The programme leverages the specialised expertise of the North West Cyber Resilience Centre (NWCRC) and was inaugurated last August. Initially offering 300 businesses the opportunity to receive extensive guidance and training, the scheme was designed to bolster their understanding of online safety.
The programme addresses the prominent dangers posed by cyber-attacks, including phishing and malware, thereby decreasing the likelihood of businesses falling prey to fraudulent activities. Due to the high level of interest, only a few vacancies remain out of the original 300 places, making it imperative for those interested to act swiftly to secure their spot.
Emily Spurrell, Police and Crime Commissioner for Merseyside, emphasised: “Prevention is key when it comes to tackling the growing threat of cybercrime. For business owners, the knowledge and skills our free cyber security training provides have the power to protect their organisations, so I’m delighted that so many have already signed up for a place.” She further stressed the importance of ensuring all available spaces are utilised by owners of small and medium-sized businesses who have not yet enrolled.
Detective Inspector John Black, head of the Cyber Dependent Crime Unit at Merseyside Police, highlighted the necessity of preventative measures in countering cybercrime. He noted: “In the last year since the Merseyside Cyber Security Programme was launched, our cybercrime unit has investigated a wide variety of cases affecting businesses…We are relentless in our pursuit of cybercriminals, but prevention is an important part of tackling cybercrime, so we encourage small and medium-sized businesses in Merseyside to sign up for one of the remaining places on the training programme.”
DI Dan Giannasi, head of cyber and innovation at the NWCRC, also expressed satisfaction with the programme’s uptake, stating: “We’ve been incredibly pleased with how many businesses are taking up the free training places. It’s been great to see how we’ve supported organisations on their cyber security journey and the feedback from the businesses has been excellent.”
The comprehensive programme entails a one-on-one session for each business, aimed at helping them grasp how to secure themselves against cyber threats. Additionally, it includes a free membership to the NWCRC, which enables businesses to remain current with the dynamic landscape of cybercrime.
The scheme, launched at Liverpool ACC with the endorsement of Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram, was part of a broader initiative to mitigate the financial and operational impact of cyber-attacks on local businesses. A Government report estimates the cost of cybercrime to the UK economy at £27 billion annually, with half of all businesses and a third of charities reporting cyber breaches or attacks within the last 12 months.
The urgent need for effective cyber security measures cannot be overstated. As cyber-attacks become increasingly sophisticated, the Merseyside Cyber Security Programme presents an invaluable opportunity for local businesses to safeguard their digital assets and operations. Business owners are therefore strongly encouraged to secure one of the remaining training places without delay.