Police, government and industry leaders unite for cyber resilience summit

Hosted by Detective Superintendent Ian Kirby, the incoming chief executive officer of the National Cyber Resilience Centre Group (NCRCG), the summit will examine the current landscape of cybercrime and how the Cyber Resilience Centre (CRC) network can best support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the UK.

The groundbreaking CRC network is made up of nine police-led centres, located across England and Wales, which are a “trusted point of contact” for smaller organisations to seek advice and information on how to strengthen their cyber resilience.

Through NCRCG’s Cyber PATH programme – an elite talent pipeline for the next generation of cyber specialists – the regional centres also offer a range of affordable and high-quality services to SMEs, such as security awareness training, first step web assessment and security policy review.

Det Supt Kirby said the event will unite representatives from across the cyber security arena – including from the City of London Police, the Home Office, police leads at the regional centres and NCRCG’s national ambassadors – to lend their “unique experience and expertise”. He said all have a “vital role” to play in cyber resilience.

The event coincides with National Cyber Security Awareness Month – a global initiative to raise awareness of cyber security and how individuals and businesses can best protect themselves from cyber criminals.

Det Supt Kirby said: “Embedding cyber resilience across the UK economy isn’t something that can be achieved in silos. It requires all of us with a responsibility for tackling cybercrime to put our heads together and make sure we have a joined-up approach.

“The National Cyber Resilience Centre Summit is an example of how, in practice, we are ensuring this necessary alignment and creating a platform to share ideas, knowledge and insights. I am looking forward to next week’s event and, beyond that, reflecting and building on the discussions that take place so we can continue to take the network from strength to strength.”

Assistant Commissioner  Pete O’Doherty of City of London Police said: “The CRC network is now supporting over 8,000 businesses across the country, helping to improve cyber resilience in organisations and their supply chains.

“The national ambassadors continue to play an important role in raising awareness of the CRCs, helping to ensure the centres reach as many businesses as possible and in promoting the Cyber PATH student services initiative.

“The second national summit will undoubtedly generate new ideas and approaches in how law enforcement, academia and private industry can continue to forge strong partnerships to make UK businesses some of the most cyber secure and resilient in the world.”