September 18, 2014 12.44 pm This story is over 114 months old

Security event teaches Lincoln firms how to stay safe from PC viruses

Security workshop: Lincoln businesses can learn more about PC viruses and security threats and how to avoid them at a free event.
Councillor Colin Davie

Lincoln businesses are being invited to a free workshop to learn how to protect themselves from computer viruses and internet security threats.

According to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, 45% of small businesses in the UK have suffered with viruses or malicious software in the last year.

While the number has decreased, the scale and cost has nearly doubled.

In order to help protect businesses in Lincolnshire, Lincolnshire County Council’s Onlincolnshire project will host a masterclass to teach firms how to stay safe from cyber threats.

The Lincoln workshop will run from 9.30am until 12pm on October 1 in the Lincoln Technology Hub at the University of Lincoln’s School of Art and Design.

The free masterclass will explain how viruses, malware and hackers can impact on business activities, the benefits of cloud computing and how to plan for disasters.

As well as internet safety, delegates can also get up to 12 hours fully funded support, which includes one-to-one business advice and consultancy.

It is open to all businesses in the area and is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Councillor Colin Davie, Executive Member for Economic Development at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “With the number of internet security breaches affecting businesses in the UK rising, it is critical that Onlincolnshire provide this type of business support to help companies avoid threats and the risk of spending a lot of time and money fixing attacks.

“The average cost to a small business of its worst security breach is now between £65K and £115K which is money many companies can’t afford to lose and could put some out of business altogether.

“Organisations need to improve their understanding of the security threats they face so they can do more to protect themselves, and this is one way of doing that.”

On the same day, a second event will also take place in Horncastle, with the session will running from 2pm until 5pm at the Horncastle Technology Hub at Mortons Media Group.

To find out more or to book a place, call 0300 80 80 120 or email [email protected].