This October is Cyber Security Awareness Month and CERT.JE, the Cyber Security Centre for Jersey, have been working with organisations and partners across the local community to develop a month-long programme of events.
The programme will develop and enhance cyber security awareness in Jersey, supporting individuals and businesses to understand how best to prepare for, protect from and defend against cyber threats.
CERT.JE are working in partnership with local organisations including Jersey Business, Jersey Finance, Digital Jersey, the Jersey Financial Services Commission, the Jersey Office of the Information Commissioner and the Channel Islands Information Security Forum – as well as industry associations and commercial sponsors – to provide a platform and forum for discussions surrounding cyber security, data and technology, with leading experts in their field sharing their expertise, views and experiences.
As part of Cyber Security Awareness Month, CERT.JE will be hosting a series of mock cyber incident response exercises in partnership with Jersey Business, The Chartered Institute of Public Relations, The Charity CEO Forum, The Chamber of Commerce and IoD Jersey. These mock cyber incident events will enable participants to experience being part of an incident response team whilst developing a response plan for the fictitious incident as events unfold. The events will support participants to recognise the potential challenges faced by businesses in the event of a cyber emergency and will assist business owners, leaders and directors in developing their understanding of their responsibilities in preparing for cyber emergencies.
The headline Cyber Security Conference will be opened by Deputy Chief Minister Kirsten Morel. It features with a range of expert speakers from Jersey and the UK and will be streamed online for attendees across the Channel Islands.
Key events include:
- A headline Cyber Security Conference on the 4th October in association with the Channel Islands Information security Forum (CIISF)
- A series of hands-on incident response workshops for charities, directors, smaller businesses and other groups facilitated by experts from CERT.JE
- A range of other events including a data protection seminar with the Information Commissioner, a session on cyber security and regulatory technology, and an introduction to cyber assurance for Jersey organisations with IASME, the organisation behind the UK Cyber Essentials Standard required for Government of Jersey suppliers.
The Security Conference will also be streamed online for attendees across the Channel Islands.
The programme is also supported by speakers from UK cyber security bodies the UK Cyber Security Council, NCSC, and IASME.
In addition to the community events, Cyber Security Awareness Month will involve cyber security training and education programmes, developed in partnership with Digital Jersey.
Matt Palmer (pictured), Director of CERT.JE said: “Cyber threats are only increasing, and we need to see a step change in how we respond to cyber risk if we are to bring Jersey up to an international standard and protect islanders and businesses from cyber crime and fraud.
“This programme of events for Cyber Security Awareness Month has been developed with input and support from Jersey businesses, community organisations and public service providers.
“We are together determined to create much greater levels of cyber security awareness in Jersey, and to support the development of cyber security skills and a diverse cyber talent pipeline for Jersey. I would encourage all organisations to visit cert.je/events and sign up.”
David Cartwright, Chair of the Channel Islands Information Security Forum (CIISF) said: “In the vast majority of organisations – especially businesses – cyber security is, and will continue to be, the most significant risk. The CIISF is delighted to be part of the island-wide efforts during Cyber Security Awareness Month which provides us all with a fantastic opportunity to remind everyone of the cyber threats we face and what we can do about them.”
Matt added: “on behalf of CERT.JE and our partners I would like to thank sponsors including PwC, ArticWolf, Sure, JT Group, Vaiie, Soteria and Appleby for making these events possible”.
The event programme will run across the month of October and there will be no charge for event attendance.
