City Security Council and City of London Police join forces to boost incident response

The City Security Council and the City of London Police have announced the launch of a new joint communications platform called CityINTEL that allows real-time incident information to flow rapidly between the latter’s Joint Command Control Room and the former’s members who are based in the City of London.

CityINTEL is a cloud-based, purpose-built platform that will be managed by the City of London Police Joint Command Control Room controllers. It has been tested over a period of months, with registered City Security Council members adding relevant security information about the buildings they operate to the platform to allow the Joint Command Control Room controllers visibility of the most appropriate individuals to whom they will send incident information as it becomes available. 

Information can be targeted to individual buildings or by geofenced areas and used for broadcasting more generally to City Security Council members when an incident occurs, while Council members can send communications platform relating to a specific incident or a new incident back to the Joint Command Control Room.

The Corporation of London is also a signed-in partner to the platform with the expectation that other City-based organisations may join in the future.

Two-way information sharing

Ashley Fernandes, chair of the City Security Council, informed Security Matters; “Allowing the two-way sharing of information between the police and our security officers on the ground will not only help us to react and support the Emergency Services in times of need. It will also ensure that our responses are co-ordinated and robust. The platform will not add an unnecessary layer of communications because it has a specific use, such as advising on counter-terrorism threats or protests occurring, while allowing us to inform the police immediately of any issues taking place within the City of London.”

The new platform was officially launched by City of London Police Commissioner Angela McLaren who pushed the button to send the first communication from the platform to City Security Council members.

McLaren stated: “Working closely with our communities and security partners across the City is an important way for us to gather intelligence and share information that enables faster crime detection and prevention. We are constantly striving to find new and innovative ways in which to improve our processes. The introduction of CityINTEL affords us an opportunity to engage with our contacts on the ground more efficiently.”  

Further, McLaren noted: “This new tool sends a distinct message to those with criminal intent within the Square Mile. We have a multitude of partners ready to act as our eyes and ears and report any instances of wrongdoing or suspicious activity. If you’re looking to commit crime in the City of London, you will be caught.”

Game-changing initiative

Powering this game-changing initiative is Zinc Systems’ core product SYNAPSE, a globally recognised major incident management platform (and which has been branded ‘CityINTEL’ for this project). The platform is integrated with a supporting mobile smart phone application that allows City Security Council members’ security personnel to quickly alert the City of London Police Joint Command Control Room’s operators of live incidents as well as affording police officers the ability to push targeted messages to specific locations and stakeholders included on the platform.

Sophie Malone, commercial director at Zinc Systems, commented: “Our mission is to help organisations protect what matters. CityINTEL will deliver a safer City of London through an innovative approach to the management of incidents and the sharing of intelligence. Using powerful analytics, the platform will provide all the tools that the City of London Police Joint Command Control Room needs in order to gather, analyse and communicate data quickly, as well as deliver two-way communication with security teams, in turn helping everyone involved to be more prepared, take instant control and respond more effectively to events.”

*The City Security Council is a community interest organisation that represents a collective of premier city security companies with the specific purpose of improving incident responses by security companies in the City of London in times of major crises. For more information visit www.citysecuritycouncil.co.uk 

Companies showcased for London’s Cyber MarketPlace to innovate safely online

Academia, private industry and local business leaders joined forces on Thursday 1 June for the pre-launch presentation of the London Digital Security Centre’s MarketPlace at Mitre Passage in North Greenwich, followed by an ‘Evening with an Identity Thief’ with entertainer James Freedman.

Jointly hosted by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), the launch of the Cyber MarketPlace marks a key milestone in the Centre’s work to help small and medium-sized businesses in London operate in a secure digital environment.

The 19 companies chosen by the Centre for the launch of the MarketPlace at www.LondonDSC.co.uk are CensorNet, Clearswift, Cybereason, Cyber Rescue, IASME, ISMS.online, Newable, Panaseer, PAV, Rapid7, Securonix, Sims Recycling, Sophos, Symantec, Symphonic, Titania, TrapX Security, Yoti and ZoneFox.

The MarketPlace presents solutions chosen by the Centre to help London’s businesses stay secure from digital crime. It provides SMEs with access to business resilience products and services supplied by private sector organisations who work in partnership with the Centre to enhance their ability to operate in a secure digital environment.

Matthew Jaffa, senior development manager for the FSB, stated: “What the London Digital Security Centre is offering to SMEs is totally unique. Its offering not only free membership, but a service backed by the Mayor of London, the City of London Police and the Metropolitan Police Service. Finding the right solution to improve a business’ online security can be a challenging task. What the Centre has done is take the hard work away and made it easier for businesses to enhance their security.”

Jaffa added: “The MarketPlace is a very useful resource for SMEs. Business owners should visit the Centre’s website to identify and obtain market-leading services that will help them to stay secure as they grow online.”

The Centre’s ‘Evening With’, sponsored by one of the Centre’s MarketPlace partners (namely Yoti) is just one of the events aimed at members to inform and educate on the world of cyber crime and to help prevent future cyber attacks.

James Freedman is widely considered to be one of the world’s greatest pickpockets. An entertainer and an expert on the subject of stealth crime, Freedman’s the only person to have picked the pockets of the Mayor of London, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Governor of the Bank of England!

John Unsworth, CEO of the London Digital Security Centre, commented: “Given recent events, our work could not be more timely or necessary. We’re starting to make a real difference to the digital security of businesses and helping to demonstrate that not only is London open for digital enterprise, but also that London’s businesses are at the forefront of ensuring they’re operating securely in the digital age.”

Unsworth concluded: “With the support of our founders, the Mayor of London, the City of London Police and the Metropolitan Police Service, we’ve identified digital security services that businesses need and put them together in one place.”

*For further information on the London Digital Security Centre visit www.londondsc.co.uk or contact John Unsworth via e-mail at: john.unsworth@londondsc.co.uk

More junior officers honoured with Queen’s Police Medals

Nine ‘rank and file’ police officers have been awarded the prestigious Queen’s Police Medal by Her Majesty The Queen as part of the New Year Honours – three times the number honoured in the 2016 Birthday Honours.

In one of her final actions as Home Secretary, Prime Minister Theresa May recommended that more officers below senior ranks should receive the Queen’s Police Medal in order to recognise the vital role they play in protecting the public and address an imbalance over to whom the medal is awarded.

Police leaders responded by putting forward a number of officers from junior ranks from across England and Wales who have shown outstanding courage and distinguished service in the line of duty. More than half of the 17 Queen’s Police Medals announced on Friday 30 December have been awarded to officers below the rank of superintendent.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd said: “These deserving recipients of Queen’s Police Medals have gone above and beyond the call of their duties and it’s absolutely right that we recognise all of those who serve our communities and keep us safe. I’m especially pleased by the response from policing leaders, who have made sure that a shift in nominations has led to a much more representative group of officers receiving the medal. I look forward to seeing many more brave and talented individuals at every rank of our police forces being honoured in this way in the future.”

The Queen’s Police Medal was instituted by its royal warrant in 1954 and is awarded to officers of any rank for acts of courage and conspicuous devotion to duty. It superseded the King’s Police Medal, which was originally created in 1909.

Brandon Lewis, Minister for Policing and the Fire Service, added: “There are exceptionally skilled, dedicated and professional officers in all areas of our police forces, from front line constables through to senior leaders. Honours such as the Queen’s Police Medal have been awarded for over 100 years to recognise some of their exceptional individual contributions. I’m delighted that more rank and file officers have been awarded the medal this year for dedication to their duties and acts of exceptional courage. I hope the example they’ve set continues to inspire the very best from officers and police staff in 2017.”

The recipients of the Queen’s Police Medal are:

• PC Ifor Williams (Avon and Somerset Police)
• Sergeant Timothy Slade (City of London Police)
• PC Jacqueline Oliver (Metropolitan Police Service)
• Chief Superintendent Martin Lloyd Fry (British Transport Police)
• PC Leslie Roger Eke (Thames Valley Police)
• PC Christopher Smith (Dorset Police)
• PC Louise Pye (Sussex Police)
• PC Shirley Vivienne Lindsay (Avon and Somerset Police)
• Inspector Ian David Hanson (Greater Manchester Police)
• Detective Inspector Carol Ellwood (Humberside Police)
• Chief Superintendent Gordon Briggs (Metropolitan Police Service)
• Chief Superintendent Victor Olisa (Metropolitan Police Service)
• Chief Superintendent Jagdev Singh Atwal (Derbyshire Constabulary)
• Assistant Chief Constable David John Allard (Ministry of Defence Police)
• Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Angela Williams (West Yorkshire Police)
• Commander Simon Martin Letchford (Metropolitan Police Service)
• Chief Constable David Graham Jones (North Yorkshire Police)

Dedication on display at the Ward Security Star Employee Awards 2016

Jeff King, security manager at Davidson House in Reading, was given a standing ovation as he collected the Star Employee of the Year Award 2016 at the tenth annual Ward Security Star Employee Awards. As well as  delivering his professional duties to the highest standards, for 14 years now King has undertaken a great deal of charity work for good causes included MENCAP and other charities, as well as local old people’s homes.

70 year-old King received his award from City of London Police Commissioner Ian Dyson; one of a number of VIP guests in attendance at the ceremony, which was held at The Grange City Hotel in the shadow of the Tower of London.

Other VIP guests presenting awards included Detective Chief Superintendent Paul Barnard from the City of London Police, Philip Jones (head of security for Westfield Europe Ltd), Steve Cook (director at the British Arab Commercial Bank) and Keith Hanson (chief exhibitor of the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London). Also in attendance were representatives from a number of clients and partners of Ward Security.

“The Annual Star Employee Awards recognise and reward staff across the business who have demonstrated the highest standards, and who have made an outstanding contribution to the reputation of Ward Security.” explained managing director Kevin Ward. “We pride ourselves on the quality of our team members, but equally we are keen to highlight examples of dedication to service that go above and beyond the call of duty. It’s not always an easy task as the standards exhibited are so high.”

Ward continued: “It’s very important that our staff know how much they are appreciated. That being so, our annual Star Employee Awards are a hugely important date in our calendar. We’re delighted that so many of our clients and partners, as well as representatives from the police, could join us this year.”

Left to Right: Ian Dyson, Sian Lloyd, Jeff King and Daryl Smith pictured at the Ward Security Employee Awards 2016

Keith Hanson, who presented a Special Recognition Award, told the audience “This is the tenth time I’ve attended the Ward Security Employee Awards, which says something about the high regard I have for the company.”

The tenth annual Ward Security Star Employee Awards were hosted by TV weather presenter Sian Lloyd, with entertainment provided by The Voice finalist Jamie Johnson and double Classical BRIT Awards nominee Faryl Smith.

The full list of award categories and winners is as follows:

• Team of the Year: Imperium 315
• Ward Belgravia Receptionist of the Year Award: Jenna Foskett (Special Commendation to Hari Bansal)
• Response Section Employee of the Year Award: Rollo Davies (Special Commendation to Dave Ellen)
• Head Office Employee of the Year Award: Hayley Graves (Two Special Commendations awarded to Alex Ambrose and Stephanie Huxtable)
• Security Officer of the Year Award: Paul Williams (Special Commendation to John Boult)
• Dog Handler of the Year Award: Joint winners Sonny Haith and John Barnet (Two Special Commendations awarded to Dennis Waterman and Gary Kennard)
• Special Recognition Award: John Bucksey
• Special Recognition Award: Mark Deeprose
• Ward Security Star Employee of the Year Award 2016: Jeff King

Criminals target UK’s youth as cases of identity fraud increase

Cifas, the UK’s leading fraud prevention service, has released new figures showing a 52% rise in young identity fraud victims in the UK. In 2015, just under 24,000 (23,959) people aged 30 and under were victims of identity fraud. This is up from 15,766 in 2014, and more than double the 11,000 victims in this age bracket in 2010.

The figures have been published on the same day as a new short film, entitled ‘Data to Go’, is launched online to raise awareness of this type of fraud. Shot in a London coffee shop in March this year, the film uses hidden cameras to capture baffled reactions from people caught in a stunt where their personal data, all found on public websites, is revealed to them live on a coffee cup.

Identity fraud happens when a fraudster pretends to be an innocent individual to buy a product or take out a loan in their name. Often, victims don’t even realise that they’ve been targeted until a bill arrives for something they didn’t buy or they experience problems with their credit rating.

To carry out this kind of fraud successfully, fraudsters usually have access to their victim’s personal information such as name, date of birth, address, their bank details and information on who they hold accounts with. Fraudsters gain such detail in a variety of ways, including through hacking and data loss, as well as using social media to put the pieces of someone’s identity together. 86% of all identity frauds in 2015 were perpetrated online.

People of all ages can be at risk of identity fraud, but with growing numbers of young people falling victim, Cifas is calling for better education around fraud and financial crime.

Fraudsters are opportunists

Simon Dukes, CEO of Cifas, said: “Fraudsters are opportunists. As banks and lenders have become more adept at detecting false identities, so the fraudsters have instead focused on stealing and using genuine people’s details. Society, Government and industry all have a role to play in preventing fraud. However, our concern is that the lack of awareness about identity fraud is making it even easier for fraudsters to obtain the information they need.”

Dukes continued: “The likes of Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and other online platforms are much more than just social media sites – they’re now a hunting ground for identity thieves. We’re urging people to check their privacy settings today and think twice about what information they share. Social media is fantastic, and the way we live our lives online gives us huge opportunities. Taking a few simple steps will help us to enjoy the benefits while reducing the risks. To a fraudster, the information we put online is a goldmine.”

Commander Chris Greany, the City of London Police’s national co-ordinator for economic crime, added: “We’ve known for some time that identity fraud has become the engine that drives much of today’s criminality, and so it’s vitally important that people keep their personal information safe and secure. In the fight against fraud, education is key and it’s great that Cifas and its members are taking identity fraud seriously and working together to raise awareness of how the issue is now increasingly affecting young people through the launch of this film.”

As part of the campaign, Cifas commissioned a survey with Britain Thinks to find out more about 18-24 year olds’ attitudes towards personal data and identity fraud. The survey found that young people are alarmingly unaware that they’re at risk:

• Only 34% of 18-24 year olds say they learned about online security when they were at school
• 50% of the 18-24 year olds surveyed believe they would never fall for an online scam (compared to the national average of 37%)
• Only 57% of 18-24 year olds report thinking about how secure their personal details are online (compared to 73% for the population as a whole)

They’re also less likely to install anti-virus software on their mobile phone than the national average (27% compared to 37%).

Organisations such as the City of London Police, Action Fraud, Get Safe Online, Her Majesty’s Government’s Cyber Streetwise campaign, Financial Fraud Action UK and Cifas members including Coventry Building Society, BT and Secure Trust Bank are all supporting the campaign and sharing the new film across their social media networks.

Cifas is also appealing to youth organisations, schools and universities to share the film so it reaches as many young people as possible.

City of London Police targets the Christmas counterfeiters in planned raids

Detectives from the City of London Police’s dedicated Intellectual Property Crime Unit have arrested three individuals in morning raids and seized more than 1,500 suspected fake goods as part of a crackdown on counterfeit goods being sold online in the lead-up to Christmas.

The operations that took place on Tuesday 9 December form part of the force’s current ‘12 Online Frauds of Christmas’ campaign which has been rolled out across the country to protect millions of people from falling victim to cyber fraudsters.

Detectives from the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) arrested a 31 year-old man at his home on suspicion of selling counterfeit designer watches online.

Upon searching the man’s home, officers found and seized around 1,500 suspected fake watches from a range of top designer brands which, if sold at the genuine retail price, are worth around £1 million.

With support from Leicestershire Police, the man was taken to a police station for questioning and later released on bail until May 2015.

In Leeds, the unit arrested a 26 year-old man and a 28 year-old woman at two residential addresses following a referral from the Anti-Counterfeiting Group, a trade organisation which represents rights holders in the branded goods sector.

The City of London Police wants to see counterfeit goods sellers behind bars

The man and woman are suspected to be two of the UK’s top sellers on social media for counterfeit designer goods. Approximately 150 suspected fake goods were seized from the two properties including designer shoes, handbags, clothes and watches.

The individuals concerned were taken to local police stations for questioning and cautioned by officers.

Sending out a strong message

Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Clark said: “The action taken by the PIPCU sends out a strong message to anyone thinking of selling or buying fake goods that the police take this issue very seriously.”

DCS Clark added: “Counterfeit goods are cheap and shoddy versions of the original and the public need to be aware that they are potentially putting themselves at risk by buying them. Not only can fake goods such as cosmetics or electrical items pose a risk to your health but, if you buy any counterfeit items online, you risk having your computer infected with viruses and malware or your financial details being compromised.”

He concluded: “We would urge anyone who thinks they have unknowingly bought counterfeit goods this Christmas to report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or online. Don’t forget… If you believe someone is selling counterfeit goods, you can report it anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers.”

Tim Mascall, director of the IP Crime Unit, stated: “The success of these raids once again shows the value of having a dedicated police unit to co-ordinate the fight against intellectual property crime. The City of London Police’s anti-counterfeiting initiative in the run-up to Christmas is a timely reminder of the serious and insidious nature of product counterfeiting. It’s important for us all to remember that this is not the victimless cottage industry the counterfeiters would have us believe, but rather a well-organised international criminal enterprise often with links to other types of serious crime.”

City of London Police Commissioner calls on financial centres to act now and prevent a major cyber attack

International financial centres, Governments and law enforcement must work closely together to prevent organised criminals and terrorist organisations from bringing global markets to a standstill with a massive cyber attack. This was the message delivered by City of London Police Commissioner Adrian Leppard when he appeared as the keynote speaker at the Financial Crimes and Cyber Security Symposium in New York.

Hosted by the New York County District Attorney’s Office and held in the Federal Reserve Bank, the event was attended by more than 300 delegates from the world of policing, finance and public and private sector cyber security.

Commissioner Leppard, whose UK force is the National Policing Lead for Fraud, highlighted the increasingly sophisticated fraud and cyber threats facing world financial centres, with a particular focus on the City of London and Wall Street. He pinpointed the risks posed by state-sponsored espionage and terrorism using highly complex malware – such as Ransomware and Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks – to threaten the integrity of trading platforms and major deals.

Commissioner Leppard also stated it’s now vital that law enforcement and financial institutions share information on the current threats. He called for companies to be legally obliged to report to the authorities when they have fallen victim to a cyber attack and thereby ensure steps can be taken to protect other financial institutions and target the offenders.

Adrian Leppard: City of London Police Commissioner

In recognition of the rapidly evolving and expanding threats to the global financial districts, including London and New York, the City of London Police and the New York County District Attorney’s Office are to forge a closer alliance. From Spring 2015, there will be a staff exchange programme between the two agencies aimed at developing greater operational collaboration, intelligence sharing and de-briefing of investigative Best Practice.

This development comes hot on the heels of the City of London Police signing an agreement with the Royal Bank of Scotland to have financial experts from the bank providing specialist advice and guidance under the force’s new Corporate Volunteer Consultancy Scheme.

Determination of international criminals

Speaking from New York, Commissioner Leppard said: “We cannot underestimate the determination of international criminals, operating alone or as part of serious organised crime gangs or terrorist organisations, to launch a major strike against our financial centres, particularly in London and New York. It’s therefore crucial we take a proactive approach to this threat by putting in place the technical and legal systems that will keep trading platforms secure from malware and prevent companies from being compromised by a rogue employee or weak IT systems.”

The Commissioner continued: “The agreement signed by the City of London Police and the New York County District Attorney is another important step in the right direction, bringing the people who protect the Square Mile and Wall Street closer together and ensuring we’re doing everything we can to thwart what has become a common enemy.”

New York County District Attorney Cyrus R Vance Junior added: “An increasingly close connection between cyber crime and financial crime means that co-operation is more important than ever. Our international partnerships, in particular our ongoing collaboration with Commissioner Leppard and the City of London Police, reflect a changing landscape and the understanding that cyber criminal attacks will not be limited by state or national borders. This is why it’s essential for financial institutions, Governments and law enforcement agencies to work together in protecting the integrity of our markets and financial systems as well as our citizens.”

Survey finds Londoners ready to tackle the terrorist threat

A survey has revealed that nearly three quarters (73%) of individuals who live or work in the City of London are concerned about terrorism compared to 68% of all London adults. An even greater number of Londoners (87%) think that members of the public are important in fighting terrorism, with nearly three quarters (73%) of survey respondents stating they’re likely to report suspicious behaviour to the police.

The survey, undertaken after the UK terrorist threat level was raised from ‘Substantial’ to ‘Severe’, shows that the message from the City of London Police to remain vigilant at all times is one shared by the public. The survey also highlights a gender bias, with 76% of women concerned about terrorist attacks compared to only 59% of men.

The City of London Police continues to pioneer a new and innovative approach to deter terrorism and detect crime through Project Servator. This involves joint deployments with the British Transport Police (BTP) as well as private sector security officers from hundreds of businesses to ensure a ‘Ring of Steel’ around The Square Mile.

Adrian Leppard: City of London Police Commissioner

Adrian Leppard – Commissioner of the City of London Police – explained: “Members of the public should be vigilant to the threat posed by terrorism. This survey shows that they are willing to work with the police to prevent such attacks. The people of London are resilient and knowledgeable about the risks from terrorism and know they are key to helping fight that threat.”

Commissioner Leppard added: “Project Servator’s success lies in the partnership between the City of London Police and British Transport Police working with the private security industry, businesses and the public to create a ‘Ring of Steel’ around The Square Mile.”

Project Servator: the detail

Project Servator uses behavioural detection officers and specialist teams to spot suspicious activity and has already led to a total of 98 arrests and 31 cars being seized since launch in February of this year.

Servator involves new tactics and cutting-edge training for police officers that will help deter people from carrying out hostile reconnaissance and detect those with malicious intent. It also increases the opportunity for interaction between police officers and members of the public, provides further reassurance to the public and helps deter and detect other criminal perpetrators.

Hostile reconnaissance is the purposeful observation of people, places, vehicles and locations with the intention of collecting information to inform the planning of a hostile act against a target. Criminals – whether extreme protest groups, organised crime groups or terrorists – have to conduct hostile reconnaissance in order to plan a successful attack. If they can be disrupted and deterred at an early stage, it’s likely that they will abandon their plans.

Following three years of intensive work and study by a Government organisation, the City of London Police ran an initial pilot scheme which heralded a change in the way police use tactics to deter hostile reconnaissance. Due to the way in which the scheme works, these tactics should also have beneficial effects on crime in general.

*Unless otherwise stated, all figures are from YouGov plc. The total sample size was 2,076 London adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 24-30 October 2014. The survey was carried out online. Figures have been weighted and are representative of all London adults (aged 18+)

Security seminar to provide free advice for businesses in the South East

Empowering businesses to reduce their risk from crime is the aim of a popular annual event which is set to return to the South East of England next month.

Free to attend, the South East Business Crime Conference is taking place at Westminster’s Church House Conference Centre in central London on Thursday 27 November, giving businesses from across the region the opportunity to learn more about reducing their security risk while meeting security suppliers and experiencing live demonstrations of the latest security technology.

The event is due to be formally opened by a representative from the London Mayor’s Office with other speakers including:

• Crime reduction specialist Neil Henson, who will be speaking on the Anti-Social Behaviour and Policing Act 2014 and its implications for community safety
• Simon Letchford (of the Metropolitan Police Service), who will be speaking about the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime’s (MOPAC) Business Crime Strategy
• DS Chris Felton (from the City of London Police) who will be discussing cyber crime
• Ken Meanwell (representing the Association of Chief Police Officers’ Crime Prevention Initiatives programme), who’s set to talk about Community Safety Accreditation Schemes
• Event sponsor DISC will be speaking about Business Crime Reporting Systems

The South East Business Crime Conference attracted high level delegates for the 2013 event

Kindly sponsored by both DISC and Facewatch, the event is organised by the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) alongside the Metropolitan Police Service and neighbouring forces from Thames Valley, City of London, Sussex, Hampshire, Kent and Essex.

Representatives from a range of business sectors

The event makes the move to central London in 2014 to enable easy access for delegates from across the South East region. Feedback from delegates attending last year’s event was positive, with 100% ending the day feeling better informed about the security marketplace and positive that the event had been of practical benefit to them.

Last year’s attendees included representatives from a range of business sectors and sizes in both the public and private sectors, including Waterstones, the University of Portsmouth and the Bank of England.

Alongside the informative conference programme at 2014’s event, a range of exhibitors will also be on hand to provide advice and guidance on the very latest in security services and technology solutions that can help businesses reduce crime.

James Kelly, CEO at the BSIA, commented: “With businesses facing a number of emerging threats such as cyber crime and fraud, the issue of business crime remains at the top of the corporate agenda. Working together with police forces and other local organisations can help organisations reduce the risk they face from crime and anti-social behaviour. Our event aims to bring together the South East business community to provide a wealth of expert advice and facilitate useful networking opportunities for business owners looking to source effective solutions to their security challenges.”

James Kelly: CEO at the BSIA

Register to attend

Those wishing to attend this year’s South East Business Crime Conference can register to attend by downloading a booking form from the BSIA’s website: http://www.bsia.co.uk/events/P22S11414451

Those wishing to exhibit at this year’s South East Business Crime Conference can also download a booking form from the BSIA’s website: http://bit.ly/1BzLA9J

Top 10 online-enabled frauds hitting British wallets to the tune of £670 million

Organisers of Get Safe Online – the joint public-private sector Internet safety initiative – have revealed the financial and emotional cost of cyber crime. In a specially commissioned poll of 2,000 people by Vision Critical for Get Safe Online Week 2014 (running from 20 to 26 October), half (50%) of those who have been a victim of cyber crime (including online fraud or cases resulting in economic loss, ID theft, hacking or deliberate distribution of viruses and online abuse) said they felt either ‘very’ or ‘extremely’ violated by their ordeal.

Separate figures prepared by the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) for Get Safe Online Week offer an indication as to the sheer scale of online crime, with over £670 million lost nationwide to the Top 10 Internet-enabled frauds reported between 1 September 2013 and 31 August this year. The £670 million statistic emanates from reported instances of fraud, calculated when the first contact with victims was via an online function.

Given that a significant number of Internet-enabled fraud cases still pass by unreported, the true economic cost to the UK is likely to be significantly higher.

The Get Safe Online survey also reveals that over half (53%) of the population now views online crime just as seriously as they do ‘physical world’ crimes, destroying the notion that online crime is ‘faceless’ and less important than other crimes. As a result, more cyber crime victims (54%) wish to unmask a perpetrator but only 14% have succeeded in doing so.

Get Safe Online Week 2014 is focused on awareness around individuals not becoming the victim of cyber fraud

As stated, half (50%) of those individuals surveyed for Get Safe Online Week have been a victim of online crime although only 32% of these people reported the fact. Around half (47%) of victims did not know to whom they should report an online crime, although this figure is expected to drop due to the ongoing work of Action Fraud (the UK’s national fraud reporting centre) and the considerable Government resources now dedicated to fighting cyber crime.

On a more positive note, victims in the Get Safe Online poll said that their experiences have shocked them into changing their behaviour for the better, with nearly half (45%) opting for stronger passwords and 42% now being extra vigilant when shopping online. Over a third (37%) always log out of accounts when they go offline and nearly a fifth (18%) have changed their security settings on their social media accounts.

In stark contrast, however, most people still don’t have the most basic protection in place. More than half (54%) of mobile phone users and around a third (37%) of laptop owners do not have a password or PIN number for their device. That figure rises to over half (59%) for PC users and two thirds (67%) when it comes to tablet owners.

The ‘Don’t Be A Victim’ Infographic produced by the team at Get Safe Online

Supporting law enforcement’s response to cyber crime

Commenting on the survey results, Francis Maude (Minister for the Cabinet Office) stated: “The UK cyber market is worth over £80 billion a year and rising. The Internet is undoubtedly a force for good, but we simply cannot stand still in the face of these threats which already cost our economy billions every year.”

Maude continued: “As part of this Government’s long-term economic plan, we want to make the UK one of the most secure places in which to do business in cyberspace. We have an £860 million Cyber Security Programme in place which supports law enforcement’s response to cyber crime, and we’re also working with the private sector to help all businesses protect their vital information assets.”

Francis Maude MP: Minister for the Cabinet Office

In conclusion, the Cabinet Office leader added: “Our Get Safe Online and Cyber Streetwise campaigns provide easy to understand information for the public on how and why they should protect themselves. Cyber security is not an issue for Government alone. We must all take action to defend ourselves against the threats now being posed.”

Tony Neate, CEO at Get Safe Online, explained: “Our research shows just how serious a toll cyber crime can take, both on the wallet and on well-being. This has been no more apparent than in the last few weeks with various large-scale personal photo hacks of celebrities and members of the general public. Unfortunately, this is becoming more common now that we live a greater percentage of our lives in the online space.”

Neate went on to state: “This year, Get Safe Online Week is all about ‘Don’t Be A Victim’. We can all take simple steps to protect ourselves, including putting a password on our computers and mobile devices, never clicking on a link sent by a stranger, using strong passwords and always logging off from an account or website when we’re finished. The more the public do this, the more criminals will not be able to hide behind a cloak of anonymity.”

Tony Neate: CEO at Get Safe Online

Detective Superintendent Pete O’Doherty, head of the NFIB at the City of London Police, said: “Cheap and easy access to the Internet is changing the world and transforming our lives. What many of us may be less aware of is the fact that financial crime has moved online and poses a major threat to people of all ages and from all walks of life. Men and women, young and old, rich and poor. It matters little who you are, where you live or what you do.”

O’Doherty continued: “It’s vitally important people are fully aware of the dangers around fraud and Internet-enabled fraud which is why the City of London Police, in its role as the National Policing Lead for Fraud and home to the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau, is fully supportive of Get Safe Online’s week of action.”

Importantly, O’Doherty added: “I would also call on anyone who has fallen victim to an online fraud to report this to Action Fraud. It’s only then that local police forces will be able to track down the main offenders and ensure victims receive the best possible support as they try to recover from what can be an extremely difficult and upsetting experience.”

Have you been a victim of cyber-enabled fraud?

George Anderson, director of product marketing at Internet security specialist Webroot, has also offered his views on the survey results.

“It’s sad but not surprising that 53% of British people have fallen victim to cyber crime,” asserted Anderson. “The Internet has been assimilated into our daily lives to the point where it’s easy to forget how hazardous it is if the proper security measures are not taken.”

Anderson continued: “The key to making the UK a safe Internet user zone is education. As a country, as communities and as individuals we should be actively promoting awareness of Internet safety and security issues. The Government’s research should not scare people away from online activities, but rather start the process of serious and continuous conversations whereby we evaluate the online precautions we take both at home and at work. Education should start at an early age, with parents and education bodies working to ensure future generations populated by ‘security savvy’ individuals.”

Adding to that message, Anderson said: “Understanding what preventative measures we can take ranges from a rudimentary awareness through to in-depth technical knowledge. However, far too many people have become too complacent with modern technology to even practice the basics. The modern person should by now know that computers ought to be protected by updated, Best-of-Breed anti-spyware and anti-virus software. They should practice safe surfing habits and harbour a full comprehension of online activities that would place their information at more risk than others. Also, they ought to be able to identify and understand website privacy policies and know when or when not to impart information regarding personal data.”

*If you think you may have been the victim of cyber-enabled economic fraud (ie where you have lost money), you should report the occurrence to Action Fraud and include as much detail as possible. Telephone: 0300 123 2040. Alternatively, visit: http://www.actionfraud.police.uk

**If you have been the victim of online abuse or harassment, you should report it to your local police force

***For general advice on how to stay safe online visit: http://www.GetSafeOnline.org