The North West Cyber Resilience Centre (NWCRC), based in Greater Manchester, has launched an initiative to help start-ups and small businesses stay secure against online crime.
The new fully-funded business program is supported by several NWCRC Partners, including The Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce and The Federation of Small Businesses, to work with small businesses based in Greater Manchester with education, training and 1-2-1 support.
The pandemic has seen a 400% increase in reports of cyber fraud with small businesses finding themselves at the greatest risk and without access to relevant, affordable and trusted support.
This program will focus on providing businesses with a better understanding of how to protect their businesses against online crime at a time when suffering an attack could mean the difference between their business staying open and closing down.
The program offers businesses several cyber security policy & procedure templates, alongside a security awareness training session for their staff.
The Business Resilience programme is open to all Greater Manchester-based small businesses, a deep understanding of cyber security, online or digital technology is not needed.
This program has been funded by the Asset Recovery Incentive Scheme, supported by Greater Manchester Police.
Managing Director of the NWCRC, Neil Jones, said: “Many small businesses in Greater Manchester have faced so much change during the pandemic, with so many of us having to adapt to work remotely and become reliant on new and different IT systems.
“Small businesses find themselves at the greatest risk of cyber enable fraud and don’t have access to relevant, affordable and trusted support. We hope that this program will support the small businesses in Greater Manchester who need it the most.”
