The rapidly emerging challenges to SMEs and how to address them.
Speakers
- Mike Lee
- Brian Hitchen MBCS
Agenda
19:00 - Refreshments and networking
19:30 - Main presentation
20:30 - Questions and Answers
21:00 - Close
Synopsis
Historically, governments, quangos and multinationals, including various defence contractors, have been the target for large nation-state hacking attacks. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine the overall number of cyber-attacks has increased steadily but there has been a worrying new trend. Small to medium companies have been targeted by these nation-state actors. They have always been a target for "trainee" hackers, the so-called script-kiddies or cyber vandals who are learning how to gain unauthorised access to networks but not for serious nation-state sponsored attackers. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, that is changing and there is a real focus on smaller organisations. Many of the SMEs will be suppliers to larger companies and many will have trusted feeds into the larger networks. By attacking these gateway companies, the hackers seem to be trying to tunnel into the larger organisations.
About the speakers
Mike Lee
Mike's early career was in IBM Mainframe Operations and Data Centre Management starting in the late 60s. This involved working in various roles but specialising in security, resilience and risk assessment. For most of his early years Mike worked mainly in financial institutions. In 1982 he joined an IT Security company in a technical consultant role and then into sales and client management. Since 1989, Mike has concentrated on the security arena and worked for many organisations in consultancy roles advising British Telecom, Law Enforcement, Home Office Counter Terrorism, DCMS (Lead Government Department for Cyber) and the National Cyber security Centre. He has written many published articles, written two books and has contributed to the leading workshops and seminars. Mike currently works full time for Ofcom advising on Telecommunications Cyber Defence.
Brian Hitchen MBCS
Brian is a GDPR Compliance Consultant and bestselling author with over 30 years experience working as an IT Security Manager for a number of financial service organisations. Since retiring in 2014 he has concentrated on working with SMEs to better understand cyber security risk. Brian is a member of the BCS where he is a committee member of the Sussex Branch. He is also a member of the South East Cyber Security Cluster and a STEM Ambassador.
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COVID-19
BCS is following government guidelines and we would ask attendees to continue to also follow these guidelines. Please go to https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/ for more information, advice, and instructions.
This event is brought to you by: BCS Sussex branch
