Industry experts to offer businesses help and guidance against cyber attacks

Local businesses can learn from industry experts about protecting their networks from a potential malicious attack in a special online tutorial as part of Derry Strabane Enterprise Week.

 Securing your Business from Cyber Attacks, hosted by the NI Cyber Security Centre, will take place on Monday April 19^th from 10am – 11.30am and will explain why the issue is becoming increasingly important for SMEs.

 Participants will learn about common cyber threats and trends, how to prevent a cyber-attack and how to minimise disruption to their business in the event of an incursion.

 Joe Dolan, Head of the NI Cyber Security Centre, is among the speakers and he explained what people can expect.

 "The issue of Cyber Security has come into sharp focus over the last 12 months as more businesses are working remotely and communicating virtually," he said.

 "A cyber-attack can have far reaching consequences from disabling business systems to finance and data theft, disruption to supply chains and reputational damage.

 "Attendees will hear first-hand from cyber security experts who will explain common cyber threats and trends, how to prevent a cyber-attack and how to minimise disruption to their business in the event of an attack."

 The event is aimed at the SME community in the Derry and Strabane Council area and any business from a sole trader to a medium sized organisation concerned about the threat and impact of a cyber-attack on their business will find it useful.

 Joe Dolan will begin the tutorial with a presentation on why Cyber security is important to SMEs followed by a representative from Danske Bank who will examine cyber threat trends resulting from Covid.

 Representatives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland's Cyber Crime Centre will give a presentation on basic cyber hygiene and examples of why it's needed before a representative from Vertical Structure will examine the challenges around remote working and collaboration.

 The event will close with a question and answer session for around 10 minutes.

 Enterprise Week 2021 will be held from Monday April 19th to Friday April 23rd and will offer expert support in building business resilience and how to tailor operations and services to meet the unprecedented challenges that the expected reopening of full trading will bring.

Among the highlights in the five day programme are three Full Circle hosted workshops on Business Resilience, Social Media and Online Advertising.

 A two day blended digital and live event powered by Startacus entitled LEVELUP will seek to inspire post pandemic ideas and spark creativity by exploring how people, both locally and internationally, have innovated and created economic growth and initiated real change.

 You can register for all the events at derrystrabane.com/enterpriseweek where the full programme is also available.