Every day, care providers handle sensitive data about residents, families and finances, making the sector a growing target for cyber-criminals.
Police-led organisation established to help small and medium-sized businesses protect themselves against cyber attack.
During a joint webinar between the The Cyber Resilience Centre Network (CRC Network) and Care England, experts warned that more than 40 % of healthcare organisations were hit by cyber incidents last year, with phishing emails and spoofed messages the most common entry points.
The event went through a real-life case study from a Welsh care home showed how a single click on a fake email led to staff-pay funds being stolen and enormous personal stress for the employee involved. To view the case study, click here.
Fortunately, prevention doesn’t require expensive IT systems. Speakers Paul Lopez and Sapphire Little shared simple steps every provider can implement immediately:
- Use strong, unique passwords (three random words) and enable two-step verification.
- Test your security with Have I Been Pwned and the NCSC Cyber Action Toolkit.
- Join the Police Cyber Resilience Centre network for free monthly updates, training and live support. Care Sector Get Started – Free Core Membership
“Cybercrime is no longer a distant threat,” said Care England’s Richard Ayres. “By using these free police-led resources, providers can protect both their residents and their reputation.”
To view the Cyber Resilience Centre webinars
Webinar 1 Cyber Threats in Care, What You Need to Know Now: 29th October, view the webinar below, and download the slides here.
Webinar 2 Personal Devices, WhatsApp & Data Sharing, Are You Putting People at Risk: 5th November, view the webinar below, and download the slides here.
Care providers are encouraged to sign up to the next free webinar:
Webinar 3: 18th November 12-12:30 Building a Cyber-Aware Culture.
All sessions are free to attend and open to adult-social-care services across England.
Comments
Login/Register to leave a comment