The Cyber Resilience Centre for Wales (WCRC), Director Paul Peters, takes us through the centre’s 2023 highlights – of which there have been plenty!

“2023 has definitely been a year of progression for the centre. We have forged strong partnerships, bolstered our profile across the Welsh business community and pushed the cyber security message even further.

“We’re now thrilled to have 2,333 members thanks to our hugely successful business engagement programme delivered by the centre’s Head of Cyber and Innovation Paul Hall who has travelled the length and breadth of the country to speak directly to businesses and drive awareness of the important of cyber security. These have all been delivered in partnership with local policing and cyber protect teams from across Wales, so a really big thank you for their support and guidance when we have been visiting their communities.

“The centre now has eight Welsh organisations signed up to our Community Ambassador membership. This has been specifically created for businesses interested in being a part of the WCRC cyber community, supporting the centre in driving awareness and understanding in the increasing threat from cybercrime and the importance of improving cyber security.

“We’re looking forward to 2024 and making even greater inroads in helping to bolster the cyber security landscape in Wales!”.

Here is a snapshot of the standout moments from this year:

1.       Welsh Government Cyber Action Plan

The Welsh Government Cyber Action Plan sets out the  vision for Wales to prosper through cyber resilience, talent and innovation so that people, businesses and public services are as secure and prepared against cyber-attacks as they can be and that the right skill force is in place.

The Welsh Government worked with a range of stakeholders to develop the plan including the WCRC which is a signposted resource providing guidance in what effective cyber resilience looks like for the Welsh business community.

2.       Training opportunities

The WCRC was successful in its bid to Welsh Government in providing additional resources to support the social care sector in improving cyber security. We’re now assisting organisations in obtaining fully funded Cyber Ninja licences so that they can be onboarded to the cyber security training platform Matobo Learning for free. There are 2,500 licences available and so far, 893 have been taken up. Sign up if you haven’t already done so.

Back in September, the centre teamed up with the Centre for Digital Public Services (CDPS) – one of the WCRC’s Community Ambassadors – to provide fully funded cyber security training sessions for organisations delivering devolved public services in Wales. The training is designed to help gain a better understanding of businesses digital environment.

3.       High profile events

The WCRC both exhibited and presented at this year’s Wales Tech Week and FSB’s Annual Conference (North Wales), both of which provided the centre with a platform to highlight its work within cyber security and build on its profile within the industry.

We also hosted the first-of-its-kind Strategic Conversation on Ransomware and Reporting seminar which brought law enforcement, public authorities and some of the biggest names in the private sector. Discussions focussed on addressing ransomware attacks, the barriers to reporting cybercrime, the deployment of police negotiators during ransomware investigations and creating a better understanding of the support offered by policing and other government agencies to organisations that have suffered a cyberattack.

4.       The WCRC strengthens its team

The WCRC was delighted to welcome Cyber Police Community Support Officer Chris Rees in November, who the centre brought onboard to support the Cyber Ninja roll out and assist Welsh organisations operating in the social care sector with gaining access to crucial cyber security training.

5.       First-ever award nomination

The team was thrilled to be nominated in the Crime Prevention category in the inaugural Safer Community Awards 2023 in November and we took home the Highly Commended prize – a great achievement!

For more information on our services, training programmes and membership options the get in touch at enquiries@wcrcentre.co.uk