The Eastern Cyber Resilience is pleased to announce the launch of a National CRC! Read on for more details about the launch.

NCRCG - National Cyber Resilience Centre Group – is a brand new, not-for-profit company bringing together all those who have a vital responsibility for embedding cyber resilience throughout the UK economy.

The NCRCG is funded and supported by the Home Office, policing and Ambassador Partners from the UK’s largest businesses and organisations. NCRCG will support the growth of the Cyber Resilience Centre (CRC) network across England and Wales – which already exists to help smaller organisations face the challenges posed by cybercrime.

They will also expand UK capabilities in the cyber space by building a second-to-none Talent Pipeline of students.

As part of a special event in York celebrating the success of the North East Business Resilience Centre (NEBRC), Security Minister The Rt Hon Damian Hinds MP officially launched NCRCG.

Mr Hinds said:

“Cybercrime can have a horrendous impact on people’s lives. It costs the UK economy £27 billion each year and businesses bear the brunt of this. Improving the UK’s cyber resilience is therefore a key priority for the Government.

“I am delighted to be launching the National Cyber Resilience Centre Group (NCRCG), which will build on the work of nine regional cyber resilience centres. It is a great example of what effective collaboration between Government, police forces, business and academia can achieve.

“I welcome the involvement of businesses and other organisations across the UK who have stepped up as NCRCG’s Ambassadors. You are a leading example on how to combat cybercrime. You are also creating the next generation of cyber experts by supporting the growth of a nationwide student Talent Pipeline.

“This new centre group is a flagship enterprise of public and private sector demonstrating how innovation can support the business community.”

Several of NCRCG’s founder Ambassadors were at the event, including representatives from Cantium, CGI, KPMG and The Very Group.

Richard Holmes, Lead for UK Cyber at CGI said:

“CGI are delighted to be supporting this important initiative. As a large IT Services company, we understand the importance for good cyber security for not only ourselves, but also the whole UK business ecosystem. This is a great initiative focussed at smaller companies that have historically found it challenging to know what to do when it comes to cyber, and have the resources to do it. It is also a great mechanism to give students and those early in their careers experience of cyber security in a business context.”

Martin Tyley, Head of Cyber at KPMG UK said:

“KPMG UK is proud to be a Founding Ambassador of the National Cyber Resilience Centre Group. We have seen first-hand the importance of collaboration across our business communities to collectively challenge the threat of cybercrime. The National Cyber Resilience Centre Group now has an important role in accelerating and sustaining the fantastic progress that has been achieved regionally.”

The NCRCG are likewise creating a centralised route for the development of our national Talent Pipeline of students. Each CRC currently works closely with its local universities to handpick a unique and talented cadre of students who help deliver they cyber resilience services they offer. This gives the students valuable exposure to smaller businesses and organisations – which comprise the vast majority of the UK economy – and equips them with the practical skills they need to thrive in their future careers.

Rebecca Chapman, Superintendent and CEO at NEBRC, said:

“We know that most non-specialists don’t know where to begin when it comes to cyber defence, so it is our job to provide support to smaller organisations that is both accessible, affordable and appropriate. Key to our approach, both at NEBRC and across the CRC network, is working with university students and in the process, nurturing our next generation of cyber experts. Building up a national Talent Pipeline is crucial if we want to remain ahead of the curve when it comes to cybercrime so I am delighted that this is central to NCRCG’s ambition.”

As the remit of the CRCs continues to grow, so too will NCRCG and the need for champions across the business, third sector and academic community. Looking to the future, we will therefore be unveiling additional opportunities for organisations to join us in the fightback against cybercrime.

Detective Superintendent Nick Bell, CEO of the National Cyber Resilience Centre Group and National Policing Director for the CRCs, said:

“Cybercrime costs our national economy; it affects organisations’ ability to trade, their ability to recruit and retain and ultimately can have a considerable impact on their bottom line. In NCRCG, we have a platform for leading the charge to strengthen our national cyber resilience and help to develop best practice across the country. By working together as police, government, business, third sector organisations and academia, we have the best potential to minimise the risk posed by cyber criminals and support those who most need cyber protection.”

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