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Staffordshire Commissioner engages University to step up Cyber battle

07/02/2019
Staffordshire Commissioner engages University to step up Cyber battle

Small businesses across Staffordshire are being encouraged to be more vigilant in the ongoing fight against Cyber security.

The University of Wolverhampton in Stafford (UWIS), will be supporting the Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire and Rescue, and Crime, Matthew Ellis, in an initiative to train cyber champions in the workplace.

As a member of the Online Fraud Forum, UWIS, are working with the Commissioner to encourage small businesses to attend a FREE training course to fight online fraud within their workforce and supply chains.

The free training, delivered by Staffordshire Police’s Crime Prevention Design Advisor, Kate Dempsey and Staffordshire’s Digital Police Community Support Officer Matthew Hough-Clewes, gives Staffordshire businesses the chance to get cyber savvy and stay one step ahead of online fraudsters, with designated workplace champions.

The partnership of local business and public sector organisations is chaired by Deputy Staffordshire Commissioner: "I know that businesses across the area are passionate about eradicating this kind of crime but awareness is the key to tackling it. 

"No matter how big or small, all businesses need to be aware of this crime and the role they play.

"The University will help ensure businesses gain this free training and increase online fraud awareness."

University of Wolverhampton in Stafford Centre Co-ordinator, Trevor Humphreys said: "We are proud to be working on this important project. 

"We all have to become smarter if we’re going to reduce the impact of this kind of crime and this free training will enable businesses to stay ahead of the fraudsters."

Cyber crime is swiftly becoming the most damaging crime a victim can experience. Millions of pounds and reams of sensitive data are stolen every year and a lot of this can be prevented with some simple actions.

Fraudsters are increasingly targeting businesses large and small.  Last year, online fraud and cyber crime was estimated to have cost the economy £27 billion a year with £5.8 million loses in Staffordshire in the past 3 months. 

More than 100 cyber champions in the workplace have been trained in the first three months since the initiative was launched in October.

For more information about becoming a cyber champion in the workplace visit the website www.uwis.co.uk  call 01785 247622 and sign up for future training sessions by emailing: uwis.enquiries@wlv.ac.uk

PIC CAPTION:  UWIS Centre Co-ordinator Trevor Humphreys with trainers Matthew Hough Clowes and Kate Dempsey.

For more information please contact the Corporate Communications Team.

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