New Lancaster University programme launches to help Lancashire SME leaders defend their businesses against the growing risk of cybercrime.

It’s tempting to think of cybercrime as the kind of thing that happens to other businesses.

That used to be the case. It was rare to know a company that had been targeted: in 2019, there were an estimated four ransomware attacks on businesses in Lancashire.

Now, just three years later, as many as four businesses a week in the county find that hackers have encrypted their computer systems and that access will be restored only upon payment of a ransom.

It’s not only big business that cybercriminals have their sights on, either: small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are increasingly likely to bear the brunt of a breach.

So, why are attacks growing?

The perfect conditions for cybercrime

Amid COVID-19 chaos, many SME business leaders did what was necessary to survive and shifted their business online, fast.

Sometimes, that speed of movement meant that security was pushed to the bottom of the to-do list, leaving companies exposed.

With those first, frantic days of the pandemic behind us, now is an ideal time for business leaders to take a second look at their online security, says Dr Rebecca Robinson, business support and project manager at Lancaster University School of Computing and Communications (SCC): “It’s hugely important to take some time to reflect and lift the lid on your systems and processes to discover where your business’s weak points lie.”

However, for many SME business leaders, the world of cyber security is firmly outside their comfort zone. Rebecca continues: “At the SCC, our specialism is in preparing businesses for a digital future. We found that many SME business leaders don’t know where to start in defending their business from attack.

“They told us they know there is a threat, but not how or where it might come from, how to ask the right questions of suppliers about their IT systems, or which tools to invest in.”

And, as Rebecca’s Lancaster University colleague, Helen Wilkinson points out, strong cyber security goes beyond simply installing a new system. Helen, knowledge exchange development manager at Lancaster University Management School (LUMS), says: “Cyber security can’t simply be bought off the shelf: 95 per cent of all breaches are due to human error, so every employee must understand their role in preventing an attack.

“It means that, when developing a cyber strategy, leaders must also factor the human side of implementation and consider how a change in processes and systems will be received by their team.”

Introducing the fully-funded Cyber Strategy Programme

To help business leaders navigate both aspects of the cyber security challenge, SCC and LUMS have joined forces to create a new, tailor-made, business development programme.

The Cyber Strategy Programme brings together experts from these two, highly-accredited university departments to help SME business leaders from all sectors understand the risk that cybercrime presents and minimise the threat by confidently implementing changes within their systems and teams.

Through five, one-day sessions, delegates will learn from leading cyber and leadership experts and detectives at Lancashire Constabulary’s cyber crime unit. They’ll also benefit from the peer support of other business leaders in the area.

Leadership and culture sessions will empower delegates to build a culture of cyber-excellence within their organisation and leave with a toolkit of resources that they can draw upon.

Places on the Programme are fully-funded for eligible businesses by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Minimising the risk through practical advice and tools

A large part of the programme’s purpose, says Rebecca, is to empower delegates by demystifying the language, tools and techniques of cyber security. She explains: “Cybercrime can do real damage to a small business’s operations and reputation, but an attack is not inevitable.

“Knowledge and confidence is power and putting in place controls, systems and processes and embedding a culture of cyber-awareness throughout your whole business can mean it’s too costly and time-consuming for criminals to target you.”

And, whatever delegates’ previous technical knowledge the programme offers an environment for them to learn and thrive in the online world. Helen says: “The Cyber Strategy Programme provides a space for business leaders to step away from their daily tasks and share ideas and experiences with peers who are confronted by the same challenges.

“As well as leaving with a toolkit of strategies and the confidence to implement it, delegates will have become part of a network of fellow Lancashire small business leaders who are often an invaluable source of support long after the final session.”

Places are available on the Cyber Strategy Programme, starting 16 November 2022

The Cyber Strategy Programme will run one day a month over five months via a mix of in-person and online learning.

A two-day introductory residential session will be followed by monthly workshops and masterclasses with Lancaster University academics and experts. During the five-month programme, delegates will also implement their learning through a company sprint project.

Places are fully-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) for Lancashire businesses that employ between five and 250 people.

Find out more and register your interest in joining the programme visit www.lancaster.ac.uk/cyber-strategy-programme

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