Cyber resilience centres will help protect SMBs from cyber crime

The UK's National Crime Programme (NCP) has launched a new support package to help businesses protect against the growing threat of cyber crime. 

Cyber Resilience Centres (CRCs) will be rolled out to every region in the country, along with a free tool to help businesses spot malicious activity called the 'Police CyberAlarm'.

The centres have been developed in partnership with the police, the private sector and academic institutions, and is modelled on the Scottish Business Resilience Centre.

The NCP's aim is for every region to have a CRC, creating a national network of centres to provide smaller businesses and organisations with an affordable way to access cyber security services or consultancy to help protect themselves from attack.

The CRCs will be headed by a Police Lead working in consultation with BRIM, which was consulted on establishing and developing the CRCs. "This is a fundamental and very positive step by Policing and represents a new era for Cybercrime prevention where Policing will work hand in hand with private sector in the alignment of cyber strategies," said Mandy Haeburn-Little CEO of BRIM. 

"This fulfils so many objectives together from supporting emerging student skills, delivery of Policing cybercrime objectives, support for all sectors of business and the focus for much-needed assistance towards economic growth for business. It is a one-stop-shop for cyber resilience which we have worked very hard to develop with NPCC and the support of the Home office."

Some of the CRCs have already gone live in Greater Manchester, the North East, East Midlands and the West Midlands, with two more planned to go live in the South East and Wales by September. 

The Police CyberAlarm will act as a "CCTV camera", monitoring the traffic identified as suspicious on a member organisation's connection to the internet at their firewall.

It will detect and provide regular reports of suspected malicious activity, enabling organisations to minimise their vulnerabilities and protect themselves, according to the NCP.