More than 50 businesses in Herefordshire are being invited to take advantage of specialist training ahead of the opening of the new £9m Cyber Quarter – Midlands Centre for Cyber Security being built in the county.
The cyber security courses, being delivered online, are being run by The University of Wolverhampton and are among the first tranche of activities organised to take place ahead of the opening of the centre at Skylon Park, Hereford Enterprise Zone later this year.
Partially funded by the European Regional Development Fund, the courses are designed for senior decision makers or a senior management team member with responsibility for IT at a Herefordshire based SME.
They will help SMEs address and prepare for the challenges of operating competitively in an ever increasing world of technological challenges.
University of Wolverhampton Professor of Cyber Security, Prashant Pillai, said: “During the pandemic we are unable to conduct business in a normal setting which can leave companies and individuals susceptible to cyber crime.
“Without a doubt, cyber crime escalates during times of crisis so this is an ideal time for people to take advantage of our online workshops to ensure that, not only are businesses is ready and prepared for recovery, they can be actively taking steps to ensure that they remain safe during this period of uncertainty.
“Delegates on the courses vary from those who are new to the world of technology and those who moving all their business online.
“For some, utilising social media platforms is paramount to the success of their business but the increasing demand of their legal obligations can be baffling and many have found this part of the training particularly useful.”
Luke Conod, Managing Director at Denim Nation Hereford, said: “We are in a new world and we need to think differently about how we run our businesses on every level. Now more than ever cyber criminals are trying new devious ways to attack our businesses, we need to be more vigilant than ever before.
“Taking part in the University’s Cyber Workshop, from the comfort of my home of course, I was able to develop my skills from some brilliant top level speakers, some of which we have already implemented in our business.”
The online courses offer businesses an insight into the following:• Managing a potential cyber incident and the mechanisms required to respond effectively• Building a resilient cyber strategy for your business• Understanding the evolving potential threats to business continuity• Understanding a business’s legal obligations for protection of information and communication internally and externally• Comprehending the potential weakest links within an organisation and build an increasing understanding of how businesses need to operate in this ever changing sector.
To find out more about future courses and whether your Herefordshire business is eligible for the funding email Business Development Manager, Charlotte Thomas: charlotte@wlv.ac.uk.
