Secrets on how to avoid cyber attacks
THE man behind a social enterprise servicing the IT sector in the Highlands and Islands has been advising businesses in Argyll on how to protect themselves from cyber crime.
David Massey, managing director of The Apprentice Store in Inverness, has been meeting with businesses in Oban and Lochgilphead as part of Business Gateway’s Cyber Security Essentials workshops across Scotland this year.
Businesses can find themselves targeted by hackers but, through the workshops, attendees were offered advice on how to protect themselves.
They learned how to reduce the risk and mitigate the impact if their business suffers a cyber attack.
The content included password management, spotting phishing emails, avoiding ransom ware, antivirus software and firewalls.
Cyber Essentials is a government-backed scheme designed to protect organisations, of whatever size, against the most common cyber attacks.
To date, Mr Massey has advised more than 100 businesses. He said: ‘Cyber security is a major issue that many businesses have to deal with at the moment. By taking just a few simple steps, you can reduce your chances of being hacked and minimise the impact if your business does suffer a cyber attack.
‘Being able to engage with businesses in Argyll through these workshops has been great and hopefully means those who took part can avoid cyber attacks.’
The workshops are part of DigitalBoost, funded by Digital Scotland and delivered by Business Gateway.
The Apprentice Store is building up its client base in Argyll with companies able to purchase ‘apprentice days’ to give them access to apprentices, who are supported by mentors with years of industry experience, to deliver a number of services for them, including cyber security.