The city of York played host on 9 December to the launch of the brand new National Cyber Resilience Centre Group (NCRCG): a national entity bringing together policing, government, business and academia to develop best practice in cyber resilience across the country.

The launch, by the government’s security minister The Rt Hon Damian Hinds MP, took place at a special event celebrating the success of the North East Business Resilience Centre (NEBRC).

The event was attended by [businesses from across the North East who have built their resilience through the support of NEBRC,] as well as national companies including Cantium, CGI, KPMG and The Very Group who are the Founding Ambassadors of NCRCG.

Rebecca Chapman, Superintendent and CEO at NEBRC, said:

“The NEBRC has been operating as part of the national network of Cyber Resilience Centres for the past two years, working to support and empower businesses across our region to better understand and manage cyber security.

“The launch of the National Cyber Resilience Centre Group, which has been announced by the Security Minister at this event, will be much celebrated in the business community as we collectively build on our work as a Centre and a network to support the fight against cybercrime.”

Detective Superintendent Nick Bell, CEO of 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.”

Security Minister The Rt Hon Damian Hinds MP 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.”

BRIM is proud to have provided the expertise in security and management consultancy to stand up the network of Cyber Resilience Centres across England and Wales throughout the pandemic; and to research and support the establishment of the new National Cyber Resilience Centre Group, to now develop its capability further to improve UK cyber resilience in SMEs and supply chain.