An innovative partnership between police, private sector and academia has launched in the South West region to help businesses protect themselves against cybercrime.
The South West Cyber Resilience Centre (SWCRC) is part of a network of centres being established across the country to provide businesses and organisations, with an affordable way to access cyber security services and consultancy to help protect themselves from attack.
The SWCRC offers a range of membership options depending on the level of support that businesses in Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and Somerset need. The Core Membership is free and provides businesses with access to a range of resources and tools to help them identify their risks and vulnerabilities, as well as providing guidance on the steps they can take to increase their levels of protection.
The centre is headed up by a Director who is also a Superintendent with the Devon and Cornwall police force. Mark Moore, who has taken on the Director role, has been in policing for over 25 years, where he has been responsible for managing police responses to high-risk and protracted incidents, latterly overseeing policing in the area of Exeter, East and Mid Devon. Mark has also worked as a consultant to police forces across the country, and managed the team which oversees initial response to every reported incident in the Devon and Cornwall force area.
Mark said: “I am enormously excited to have been asked to bring the SWCRC into being and lead on this innovative partnership aimed at tackling the huge threat that is cybercrime. We know that any system is only as strong as its weakest link, and that is why we want to help improve protection for networks and supply chains across the South West.”
“Cybercrime is a risk to all business, but with some simple changes, they can significantly reduce their chance of falling victim to it. It needn’t be scary, complex or unmanageable, and we are here to help people through.”
“The SWCRC brings together the expertise of law enforcement, private industry and academia, working together to deliver free and affordable services to help businesses mitigate their cyber security risks.”
“Our website is now live, so businesses and charities can find out more about how we can help them and sign up for one of our membership packages."
The SWCRC has been funded by the National Police Chiefs’ Council Cyber Crime Programme which secured Government funding to establish a network of CRCs across England and Wales.
Mandy Haeburn-Little CEO of BRIM who advise on establishing and developing the CRCs said: “This is a fundamental and very positive step by Policing and represents a new era for Cybercrime prevention where Policing will work hand in hand with the private sector in the alignment of cyber strategies. This fulfills so many objectives together from supporting emerging student skills, delivery of Policing cybercrime objectives, support for all sectors of business and the focus for much-needed assistance towards economic growth for business. It is a one-stop-shop for cyber resilience which we have worked very hard to develop with NPCC and the support of the Home office.”