Learning about Cyber Security - Tricky at Times!

This month I decided to share my own fears and uneasiness on Cyber Security. Having digested the feedback from our successful Cyber Risk event at Cheltenham College and having seen increasing news coverage of cyber-attacks, we knew that Cyber Security and Safeguarding is a vital area to investigate and educate for schools, staff and Governors. What was unclear when beginning to research this topic was the enormity of the subject, which, if ones spends time digging, can be a little daunting. Only yesterday I read the story about the Hairdresser, Stuart Holmes, in Cheltenham that now faces up to £7,000 in costs due to a hackers stealing data. They had paid for anti-virus software and thought they had an understanding of website security but their data was still left wide open to a cyber-attack (read the article here).

So what is Cyber security? There are many definitions, but for this purpose we mean the safety of information stored on computers, iPads, phones and other technology. Including the case above, there has been a remarkable increase in the volume of and sophistication of cyber-attacks, where our personal and client information is under threat. So we know that we should have safe and protected technology in our schools…. But how?

I recently attended a seminar at Gloucestershire University, run by Circle2Success. It was great and really informative (thank you). I listened to speakers including Buck Rogers, Head of Cyber Security at the Bank of England. Shortly afterwards, we at Ease Training have also updated our website security with the help of Skylight9Limited. Did you know it is important to hide your server technology on your website code, and ensure that you have a ‘X-XSS- Protection header’? Lost? All jargon? Don’t panic.

What I have learnt is that some of the language used within the Cyber world can be overwhelming and difficult to understand, which can dispel anyone from wanting to learn or even make decisions. There are, however, some really simple key points, which are vital, that anyone and everyone can grasp and deliver into their schools very quickly. 

On 27^th June 2016 due to the success of the previous event and in light of the recent attack very close to home, we are replicating our Cyber Risk event at Cheltenham Regency Hotel. We have brought together practical, down-to-earth speakers from many fields of expertise to ensure that this topic is accessible and relevant to all.

Kristine Scott, Partner, Education Team, Harrison Clark Rickerbys. Kristine is trusted by schools to provide support on a wide range of employment and education issues. Patrick works in the Cyber Growth team at GCHQ, which promotes Cyber Security as a subject of study, as well as a career. Detective Sergeant Nigel Hatten, Gloucestershire Constabulary. Nigel has twenty-four years’ police service primarily dealing with Major Crime and Child Protection and Sandra Shepherd, Strategic Lead, Gloucestershire County Council. Sandra manages Governor Services in the Education Performance and Inclusion team at the County Council as well as myself.

We will be announcing future events very soon, focusing on highlighting the issue and exploring the solutions which best work for you. This is a hot topic which needs to be thoroughly understood and most importantly our personal and business technology safe and protected!

Amber, Digital Marketing Manager, Ease Training

amber@easetraining.co.uk