If you’ve ever wondered how your organisation can tackle the growing and constantly evolving threat of cyber-attacks by sourcing and developing skilled employees with the perfect level of expertise then get your diary out and mark the date for the...
This event, held in partnership with the University’s C11 Cyber Security and Digital Innovation Centre, is set to bring together leading academics, businesses and thought leaders from across Gloucestershire and the South West, with the purpose of reviewing the very latest developments, research and solutions in cyber security and protection.
With a special emphasis on skills development, the day will be packed with the most up-to-date information on how employers can engage with cyber education and security advice from a range of regional suppliers, along with demonstrations and discussion on research breakthroughs and emerging technology, all designed to benefit industry at local, national and international levels.
Associate Professor in mobile and network security, and Head of Technical and Applied Computing at the University of Gloucestershire, Ali Al-Sherbaz, explains:
“The cyber skills gap being experienced across the sector is vast and presents a real barrier to progression for UK businesses. In the face of continually worrying data we and our partners have decided to take real action to help connect employers with the people and knowledge they need.” Indeed latest government data in the field of cyber-defence paints a grim picture, including the following headline statistics:
“It’s against this background that we’re thrilled to be launching our 17th June Cyber Symposium,” adds Rayelle Pentland-Smith, Business Development Director at C11 Cyber Security and Digital Innovation Centre, based at the Gloucestershire Science and Technology Park in Berkeley Green.
The event has a packed agenda featuring expert speakers from the county and beyond, including: Paul Crichard, BT’s Chief Security Technology Strategist; Juliet Grout, Security Architect at IBM; Paul Keasey, Detective Superintendent, Director of Intelligence & Specialist Operations at Gloucestershire Constabulary, and guest panellists from BAE Systems and CGI.
The University of Gloucestershire’s Buck Rogers, Emeritus Professor of Cyber Security, will flag new developments in his fi eld of study, while digital and cyber degree students will present their achievements working with real-life case-studies of cyberattacks which have strengthened their skills and employability.
(Pictured: Juliet Grout, Security Architect at IBM)
Apprenticeships are yet another important topic that will come under discussion as the advantages of educating and training the next generation of cyber professionals comes into sharp focus.
“The University of Gloucestershire’s School of Computing and Engineering offers apprenticeships in two areas - cyber security and digital and technology solutions,” comments Dr Abu Alam, Senior Lecturer in Computing and Cyber Security.
“Cyber security professionals work in sectors ranging from the economy, including critical energy, transport, water and finance infrastructure, through to public and private organisations. They can lead teams that research, analyse, assess and manage cybersecurity risk, while designing and operating secure systems that detect and respond to incidents.”
His colleague, Dr Thiago Viana, Senior Lecturer in Computing, adds: “Digital and technology specialists work in areas such as software, business and systems analysis, cybersecurity and network infrastructure. Their role is to implement digital technology which enables businesses to develop new products and services that increase productivity.”
Professor Kamal Bechkoum, Head of the University of Gloucestershire’s School of Computing and Engineering, concludes: “It’s an unfortunate reality that a cyber-attack on your organisation is inevitable. It’s really not a question of ‘if’, but ‘when.’
“Current forecasts for the number of online-linked devices, otherwise known as the ‘Internet of Things’ (IOT), vary from between 26 to 75 billion, and if there’s one lesson to be learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s that more of us than ever before have been working remotely and often mixing the use of personal and professional devices to stay connected.
“There is so much information created by these devices – up to and beyond 2.5 quintillion bytes – that 90% of the world’s data has been produced in the last two years alone.
“Considering this massive volume it’s perhaps understandable that cyber defences can never be 100% secure. The grand challenge is to improve workers’ understanding of where threats are most likely to come from, and engage in habitual good security practice at all levels.
“Our default approach to all IOT systems should always be one of suspicion, particularly because 95% of internal cyber breaches are caused by human error.
“I’m very pleased that the C11 Cyber Symposium will be welcoming leading figures from business, along with our academic staff , students and supporters to this important debate on 17th June.
We’re looking forward to developing many more long-standing partnerships that will continue to help industry stay secure.”
To find out more about the C11 Cyber Security and Digital Innovation Centre: Tel: 01453-707511 / 07912 770053 Email: C11@glos.ac.uk
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