How local firms are being impacted by cybercrime will be the focus of the forthcoming Sheffield City Region breakfast.
Business people and cyber security experts will discuss their experiences, how they are taking preventative measures and what the government is doing to support and protect their business from future attacks.
Cyber security was just one of the business issues that Sheffield City Region firms were surveyed on throughout September in the Quarterly Economic Review. Other questions asked businesses about their sales performance, predicted turnover and training investment, to gain a snapshot of how business is faring and how the local economy is performing.
The survey results will be delivered at the breakfast event by Dr David Littlewood, a lecturer in strategic management at the University of Sheffield’s Management School, set within the context of current affairs and trends.
Keynote speaker Detective Sergeant Shelton Newsham, Yorkshire & Humber Regional Cyber Crime Unit, will then explain the ‘Four key cyber threats to businesses and how to defend against them.’ He works alongside UK Government agencies, international law enforcement and investigation teams dealing with new attack vectors, identifies new social engineering tactics and provides free cyber security advice for decision makers, business leaders and their staff. He will share case studies of how businesses have been affected, what they’ve done and the free resources available to take preventative measures.
Attendees will have the opportunity to voice their own concerns, opinions and experiences during a panel discussion on how cybercrime is affecting the Sheffield City Region and what businesses, government and academia are doing to address it.
This will be chaired by Greg Wright, The Yorkshire Post, and feature a number of local stakeholders including Sian Dudley, CAST Theatre, Nigel Brewster, Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership, and Dr.Achim Brucker, Sheffield University Management School.
Funded by the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership and Growth Hub, the Quarterly Economic Review survey and breakfast is run by the Sheffield City Region’s four Chambers of Commerce; Barnsley & Rotherham, Doncaster, Sheffield and East Midlands. The results of the survey are used to shape the support available to the local business community within the region.
Dan Fell, CEO, Doncaster Chamber said: “The Quarterly Economic Review provides a snapshot of the local economy and attendees at the breakfast event will be the first to find out about the health of the local economy. They’ll hear case examples and best practice on how to keep their business cyber secure and avoid threats to their future operations and growth.
“The results of the survey will show just how many Sheffield City Region businesses are being affected by cybercrime and the preventative measures being taken both at the practical and policy level. An attack can be devastating for a business operationally, financially and reputationally.
“The results will also show how the current economic climate is affecting local business owners, particularly with regards to Brexit, and how this is impacting on recruitment, skills, investment and international trade.”
Nigel Brewster, Vice Chair of the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “It is important that we speak to businesses across the region and understand what barriers and opportunities they face. That is why these Quarterly Economic Reviews are so important.
“Cybercrime and attacks are a very real part of the world we live in today. We want to provide as much help and support we can to ensure that businesses have the tools and knowledge to protect themselves and their customers.”
The survey results and voice of event attendees will influence the mandate of work of the Sheffield City Region Chambers of Commerce, key influencers and policy makers to ensure the right support mechanisms are in place for businesses and the local economy to prosper.
The Sheffield City Region Quarterly Economic Review Breakfast takes place on Tuesday 23 October, at Inox Dine, Students Union Building, Sheffield University, from 8.00am to 10.00am. The event is free to attend and is open to business leaders and owners across the Sheffield City Region. To book your place, please visit https://screconomy.org.uk/events/
