The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) and the Cyber Resilience Centre for the West Midlands have launched a new cyber support hub. The platform aims to help support retailers following the rise in cyber-attacks over recent years.
A recent report published by PwC revealed that cyber-attacks on retail clients had increased by over 30%. With the opening of retail businesses increasing by 8% in the last two years, the industry is increasingly appealing to cybercriminals.
There have been further reports that suggest cyber-attacks on retailers occurred roughly 1 in every 8 days in 2021.
To help retailers across the country strengthen their cyber security and adopt basic practices, the new Cyber Security Hub will host a surplus of content. Providing simple top tips, key topics include two-factor authentication, the use of passwords, and also software updates.
The launch is happening as a result of the collaboration between Bira and the Cyber Resilience Centre for the West Midlands (WMCRC). However, the new support hub is available to retail businesses across the country.
The WMCRC is one of nine cyber resilience centres that form a network to support businesses across England and Wales. This ensures every region has its own cyber resilience centre. All members and visitors of the centres on the network can make full use of the support hub. To find your local centre, please click here.
Commenting is Project Lead, Detective Inspector Michelle Ohren, Head of Cyber and Innovation at the Cyber Resilience Centre for the West Midlands.
“I’m thrilled to be able to announce the launch of our new cyber support hub for Bira’s members. I’ve seen first-hand through my policing career the devastation that cyber-attacks can cause.
“Cyber security is not just for large companies; I can’t state that enough. We see many businesses regularly suffer cyber-attacks that can take them offline for days, weeks and sometimes permanently. It may be as simple as hackers gaining unauthorised access to your store’s social media account and revoking your access, leaving you unable to access the account. During which time the hackers can post content with dangerous links.
“This would be unknown to your customers, who would then potentially buy through your platform, with the money being deposited in fraudulent bank accounts. This leads to your customer being left with no product or service. Whilst this may seem unlikely, it’s quite the opposite, and sadly just one of the ways cybercriminals can launch an attack on your business.”
Also commenting is Bira CEO, Andrew Goodacre. “With increased levels of online shopping, it is vital for retailers to have good cyber security in place. Shoppers expect their details to be secure and good security will retain consumer confidence. This Hub is an excellent way of informing and helping independent retailers.”
For further details, visit the Cyber Aware Hub here.
