CybersecurityNorth Wales wants to be “one of the most secure places in the world to do business”
Glyndŵr University is to play a leading role in the fight against cybercrime. The Wrexham, Wales-based university hosted the first meeting of the North Wales Cyber Security Cluster on Thursday (23 July). The institution and North Wales Police saw experts in online security and e-crime join the forum, and also invited members of the public and business owners who have been targeted in the past to attend and share information and advice, in a bid, the organizers say, “to make North Wales one of the most secure places in the world to do business.”
Glyndŵr University is to play a leading role in the fight against cybercrime. The Wrexham, Wales-based university hosted the first meeting of the North Wales Cyber Security Cluster on Thursday (23 July).
The institution and North Wales Police saw experts in online security and e-crime join the forum, and also invited members of the public and business owners who have been targeted in the past to attend and share information and advice, in a bid, the organizers say, “to make North Wales one of the most secure places in the world to do business.”
According to a report by the U.K. electronic surveillance agency GCHQ, eight in every ten of the biggest U.K companies have suffered a serious incident of online crime, costing the economy tens of millions of pounds annually. Online attacks remain one of the country’s top national security risks alongside terrorism, according to the government.
Vic Grout, Professor of Computing Futures, is a member of the North Wales Police Cyber Crime Panel and the North Wales Cyber Security Trust Group. He wants the university’s renowned computing department to play a leading role in bringing the issue to the attention of organizations across the region.
“Glyndŵr University Computing is very pleased to be playing a leading role in the setting up of the North Wales Cyber Security Cluster,” said Professor Grout.
“Cybercrime is an increasing issue for everyone: the business community, the police, academic institutions and the general public. Cyber attacks have become more frequent over the last few years and increased in their sophistication and use of technology. All businesses and institutions, large or small, are potentially under threat from malicious activity through the internet and other electronic means.”
He added: “The aim of the Cluster is to bring together key stakeholders and other interested parties to work together to help defend against cybercrime and cyberattacks.
“Academic institutions, such as Glyndŵr University, with North Wales Police, the business community and cyber security experts in the region and nationally will all bring their knowledge and expertise to bear on the problem.”
Glyndŵr University reports that the group intends to meet once a month, in various locations across North Wales, to share information and good practice and keep all of its members up-to-date in terms of current and emerging cyberattacks, preparing them to defend against cybercrime.
They will also support the Welsh government’s commitment to cyber security (and the U.K. government’s Cyber Security Strategy) by building cyber security knowledge, skills, and capabilities, to make firms more resilient to cyberattacks.
“This is a major cooperation of academia, business, the police and public — with significant input from Glyndŵr cyber security academics,” said Professor Grout.
“The problem isn’t going away — in fact, it’s going to get worse - and we can’t afford to ignore it.”
