New cyber security training package launched for charities and small businesses
6 May 2021 03:17 PM
Free e-learning package to support small organisations released.
- New e-learning package guides small organisations and charities through actions to take to reduce the risk of successful cyber attack
- 38% of micro and small organisations experienced an attack in the last 12 months
- Training published as part of the NCSC's commitment to protecting UK businesses
CHARITIES and small businesses were yesterday given access to a new e-learning package that will boost their ability to defend against threats posed by cyber criminals.
The training, Cyber Security for Small Organisations and Charities, guides businesses through the actions they should take in order to dramatically reduce the risk of the most common cyber attacks, such as ransomware and phishing.
Cyber Security for Small Organisations and Charities has been designed so that any small organisation, regardless of the level of existing cyber security knowledge, can understand the online threats they face and take steps to improve their cyber defences.
It is the latest support offered to small organisations from the NCSC, following the release earlier this year of the Cyber Action Plan, a state-of-the-art online tool offering bespoke advice to small businesses as part of the cross-government Cyber Aware campaign.
Sarah Lyons, NCSC Deputy Director for Economy and Society, yesterday said:
“Cyber security can feel like unknown territory for some small organisations, and with so much advice available it can be difficult to know where to begin.
“Our new Cyber Security for Small Organisations and Charities e-learning package is a brilliant place to start, and I’d encourage small businesses to take advantage of it and learn how they can boost their cyber defences.
“Doing so now will have undoubted benefits, reducing the chances of the kind of disruptive cyber attacks we have seen all too often affecting businesses.”
The latest advice, which is also suitable for sole traders and the voluntary sector, empowers small organisations to identify any possible weaknesses in their online infrastructure and act to strengthen them, focusing on five areas:
- Backing up an organisation’s data correctly
- Protecting an organisation against malware
- Keeping the devices used by employees secure
- The importance of creating strong passwords
- Defending an organisation against phishing
Digital Infrastructure Minister Matt Warman, yesterday said:
“The internet has kept thousands of small businesses and charities going through the pandemic, but cyber attacks remain a significant threat if organisations do not take steps to protect themselves.
“I would urge charity bosses and business owners to take advantage of this excellent resource to help them build back safer from coronavirus and keep online criminals locked out.”
According to the Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2021, 38% of micro and small organisations experienced an attack in the last 12 months and, of those that lost data or assets, the average cost of these was over £8,000.