Cyber crime is now a major threat to us all, and particularly to businesses for whom the digital world is their High Street. The Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust Stay Safe Online team have organised for a series of four monthly talks by established cybercrime experts to take place at The Parade Cinema in Marlborough starting on Thursday 20 February. The aim is to give businesses a real understanding of the threats they face whilst equipping them to protect themselves from fraud.
Who are the experts? Paul Maskall, regular on BBC Crimewatch Live, Rip Off Britain and other programmes is one, the other is Catriona Still, Head of Fraud Prevention at UK Finance’s Dedicated Card and Payment Crime Unit.
As well as his media appearances Paul Maskall is Prevention Manager at UK Finance’s Fraud & Cybercrime and a recognised leader in the field of combatting online fraud. Catriona Still works with the UK banking industry.
Toni Evans, the Bobby Van Trust’s Stay Safe Online Manager, said: “Our mission at the Bobby Van Trust is to do all we can to keep people safe from crime and this is the fastest growing crime we face. Paul and Catriona are acknowledged leaders in their field who will be talking about the latest trends and the psychological and technological tricks criminals are using.
“The threat to businesses and individuals from cyber criminals is evolving all the time and while they may think they are doing all they can to protect themselves, the frightening truth is that the fraudsters are always one step ahead.
“The UK Government Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2024 revealed 50 per cent of UK businesses suffered a cyber-attack or security breach in the last year, with the average cost to remedy an attack coming in at £21,000.”
Toni added that over half a million – estimated at 560,000 new cyber threats are discovered daily and the vast majority – 81% – of all UK businesses who suffer a cyber security attack are SMEs.
The first one-hour lecture on Thursday February 20 will look at the role technology plays in making businesses vulnerable, recognising and understanding threats, tricks used to manipulate and deceive and strategies to combat them.
The second, on March 20, will focus on how criminals are exploiting AI and deepfakes, how AI can exploit businesses’ online vulnerabilities and how to recognise an AI fraud.
The third lecture on April 24 looks at the psychology of manipulation, how criminals use it to overcome victims’ concerns and keep them under their influence, together with strategies to prevent it. The lecture will also unpick a real-time manipulation to show how it plays out.
The final lecture on May 22 will feature case studies, including examining a real-world fraud case from beginning to end and analysing the specific techniques used to exploit vulnerabilities.
Each lecture costs just £35, include refreshments, and begins at 9.15am with a networking opportunity afterwards. Participants who book all four lectures pay just £30 for each one.
The charity’s Stay Safe Online volunteers carry out free home visits or group talks to anyone over 60, or over 18 if they have a registered disability. They provide easy to follow guidance, help improve digital/cyber security awareness, offer cyber and scam prevention advice, signpost further advice and resources, provide support and reassurance and offer basic practical skills to enable people to check and understand privacy settings.
Ms Evans said: “Paul and Catriona will be sharing up to the minute information that is affecting thousands of businesses every day. They will provide real understanding of the way cyber criminals work and share some practical real world advice on how to guard against them.
“This is an invaluable opportunity for businesses to learn more about the very real threats that are out there.”
Booking is essential as places are limited. Click here to book tickets or call 01225 256867.
Click here to find out more about the work of the Bobby Van Trust charity.