NWCRC signs up more than 2000 members across the North West

The North West Cyber Resilience Centre is celebrating reaching more than 2000 members across the region. 

Since launching in 2019, our police-backed not-for-profit organisation has increased awareness of proactive cyber resilience for organisations across the North West. Overall, the NWCRC has supported over 710 businesses with funded police-backed cyber security programmes, including 1-2-1 training sessions. The team have also delivered 160 cyber security services over the last year to businesses to improve their understanding of risk and protect their businesses.

Why is cyber resilience so important? 

With 85% of all businesses in the UK reporting phishing attacks or attempts, it’s really important for us to work closely with the business, charity and education community to create cyber resilience in employees.

Our team works with small and medium businesses; charities and not-for-profit organisations; schools and colleges as well as care providers and public sector bodies. All of these types of organisations are at risk from cyber attacks and cyber breaches but typically would not have their own dedicated cyber security teams. 

Cyber fraud and cyber attacks can have a devastating effect on a small business or a not-for-profit organisation - and many people don’t realise what could happen just from one initial click on a phishing link. 

For a small business, losing access to all of their online data could prevent them from operating and ultimately lead to the business having to close down. For a service provider, such as adult social care or a housing provider, a ransomware attack that removed access to all of their data could lead to huge delays in their care services. 

Our work is of huge importance to all of these sectors to educate them on the important steps that any organisation can take to protect their businesses against the growing threats of cyber crime.

DCI Chris Maddocks, head of economic and cyber crime at the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU) with responsibility for the NWCRC, said: “Cyber crime is one of the fastest growing crimes in the UK and a key priority for us at the NWROCU. The huge advances in AI and other technologies has created more opportunities for cyber criminals and fraudsters to operate more sophisticated attacks. 

“By working closely with the NWROCU, the regional police forces and the PCC offices, we ensure that businesses in the North West stay safe against cyber fraud and cyber crime.”

DI Dan Giannasi heads up the team from its office in Manchester and said: “Our team works incredibly hard to offer a wide range of training and technical services, one-to-one sessions as well as running workshops and events across the region too. 

“We will continue working closely with businesses, charities and other organisations across the North West to raise cyber resilience and practical knowledge to keep them safe from cyber criminals and fraudsters.

“We strongly encourage small businesses to take advantage of the free membership on offer, to help defend themselves against cybercrime.”

Sign up for free membership here: 

https://www.nwcrc.co.uk/signup