Cyber security training specialists Intelligencia Training have carried out a successful training programme to help an energy business improve its safety precautions.

Intelligencia Training, which runs the Cyber Stars initiative to help organisations large and small prevent security breaches, delivered the course for staff at Newcastle based THS Inspections Limited, who provide compliance and technical monitoring audits, primarily to the domestic energy efficiency sector and are suppliers to large utilities providers.

Staff undertook a cyber security training and awareness qualification provided by Intelligencia Training, who offer the Cyber Stars programme designed and developed by cyber security experts. Cyber Stars is an on-site, one day course which delivers an improved understanding of cyber security. It is the only programme of its kind that is backed by a nationally-recognised qualification, The Level 2 Award in Cyber Security For Business.

Kim Steward, Operations Director at THS Inspections, said: “Working mainly within the utilities sector, we hold and process considerable amounts of third-party data. We are aware of the forthcoming changes to UK data protection laws and the forthcoming General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) that will impose considerable fines of up to £20 million upon organisations that suffer a cyber-attack where confidential customer data is compromised.

“Being an SME we do not want to risk this potentially catastrophic event and have realised that staff at all levels within our business should be aware of the various risks and routes to market that cyber-criminals use.

“We frequently tender for large business opportunities from within the utilities sector, being able to demonstrate that we value our own but also our client’s data and data security is hugely beneficial. We are confident that having all of our staff trained to a nationally accredited level and aware of the risks that cyber-crime poses to our business would show us in a positive light.

“From the Cyber Stars delivery session and access to the online portal we have gained a further insight into how to protect our business from cyber-crime including malware, phishing, social engineering, invoice fraud and a greater understanding of our responsibilities relating to the reporting of cyber-attacks.

“We identified how organisations are only as strong as their weakest link and how cyber security policy and training should include staff at all levels. The days of saying ‘it’s not my responsibility’ are now long gone as we are all potential targets.”

Nick Atkinson, Commercial Director at Intelligencia Training, said: “The SME marketplace is now an appealing target to cyber criminals; 74% of SME’s are reported to have suffered a cyber-attack via their perceived ‘soft underbelly. Links to larger organisations and their supply chain offer potentially huge rewards for those wanting to target them.

“With the forthcoming changes to UK data protection regulations the fines that can be imposed under GDPR could force many SME’s out of business therefore this can no longer be ignored. The ability to have staff engage in a 1 day training programme, backed by a nationally recognised qualification aids employers, both large and small, to get staff to ‘buy in.’ They will develop a greater level of cyber-awareness and a culture that everyone has a role to play in policing cyber-security.

You can find out more about Intelligencia Training Limited and its products at www.intelligenciatraining.com