In October, the UK is set to mark Cyber Security Awareness Month which marks the 10-year anniversary of this major campaign.

The campaign first launched in 2012 and is dedicated to raising awareness of cyber resilience and how individuals and businesses across the country can best protect themselves against cybercrime.

Cybercrime cost the national economy; it costs organisations time, money, reputation, confidence, and customers. This year, in the South East region alone, cyber crimes reported to Action Fraud have amounted in total losses of £376,000.

To support Cyber Security Awareness Month, The Cyber Resilience Centre for the South East (SECRC) and the wider CRC network will be releasing a number of helpful resources and guidance materials that follow #CyberSecMonth’s two themes which are Phishing and Ransomware.

This follows a recent Government survey, where it was revealed that of the 39% of UK businesses who identified an attack, the most common type was phishing attempts (83%). Phishing attempts occur when hackers attempt to steal data from an individual or organisation that receives a fraudulent email, text message, or phone call.

Detective Superintendent Andy Richardson, Director of The Cyber Resilience Centre for the South East and lead for the Cyber and Economic Crime within South East Regional Organised Crime Unit, said:

“During my policing career, I’ve unfortunately experienced first-hand the devastating effects that cybercrime can have on businesses and charities, regardless of their size, annual turnover or the sector in which they are from.

“Cyber-attacks have the ability to completely destroy businesses and charities. With particular charities, cyber-attacks can lead to victims’ lives being put at stake. I appreciate that this is frightening to hear, but it’s the ugly truth behind cybercrime.

“The good news is that through our free membership and campaigns such as Cyber Security Awareness Month, we are able to raise awareness of the very basic steps that little or large businesses and charities can take to secure themselves. It really can be as simple as turning on certain settings on your devices, which form a key much like you would use to lock your front door.”

Nick Bell, Detective Superintendent and CEO of NCRCG and National Policing Director for the CRCs, said:

“At NCRCG we are very much looking forward to the upcoming Cyber Security Awareness Month. It promises to highlight the vital importance of building our nation’s cyber resilience, as well as the significant work our CRC network and National Ambassadors are doing to support this drive.

“Likewise, we hope that the initiative will showcase – both nationally and globally – how seriously those with a responsibility for tackling cybercrime in the UK are taking the issue. It is something that is being prioritised by police, the government and our country’s largest organisations so that together, we can ensure the UK remains an attractive and safe place to work and invest in.”

To learn more about The Cyber Resilience Centre for the South East visit www.secrc.co.uk or to discover your local centre, visit https://www.secrc.co.uk/uknetwork.