Cybersecurity funding announced for social care providers in the North East and Yorkshire
The North East Business Resilience Centre (NEBRC) has joined forces with NHS England for a brand new pilot project to tackle cyber threats in the social care sector.
New NHS funding has been announced in partnership with the North East Business Resilience Centre (NEBRC), helping small and medium businesses within the social care sector to prevent cyber threats.
Cyber threats can cause costly disruption to social care providers, with the challenge only growing as threats become increasingly complex and difficult to spot. That’s why the ‘digital health check’, funded by Better Security, Better Care (via the NHS England North East and Yorkshire Regional Digital Transformation Team) includes free cyber services and training, specifically available for social care in the North East of England and Yorkshire.
Half of businesses (50%) and around a third of charities (32%) report having experienced some form of cyber security breach or attack in the last 12 months1, so this most recent NHS England funding plays a vital role in the fight against cybercrime.
Tom Daly, Project Manager – Better Security, Better Care for NHS England North East & Yorkshire Region commented:
"This exciting partnership approach between NHS England and NEBRC gives us the opportunity to protect critical social care services from disruption due to cyber-attacks. The NEBRC’s non for profit mantra and skill in breaking technical language into laypersons terms means they are well positioned to support this crucial work"
The services will be provided by the North East Business Resilience Centre (NEBRC), a police-led, non-profit, that presents a unique blend of corporate businesses, policing and academia to help protect businesses in the North East, Yorkshire and The Humber from online crime and fraud.
As part of the scheme, the NEBRC have taken on a new team member Sam Cattell, Data Analyst to oversee the pipeline. With over 3,000 SMEs from the care sector ready for services2 such as internal and external vulnerability assessments and security awareness training, the NEBRC are looking forward to getting started and delivering as many services as possible.
Rebecca Chapman,CEO and director at The Business Resilience Centre for the North East (NEBRC) and retired Police Superintendent comments:
“This scheme is fundamental to why the NEBRC was established, to help vulnerable businesses who either cannot afford cyber security services or are unaware of what steps they need to take to secure their business.
“Many social care providers are new to cyber security and need help to get to a basic standard. We are here to help them start this journey and are really proud to be able to work with the NHS to begin this work in the region.
“We have already had early successes with one social care provider’s vulnerability assessment where we highlighted some common issues and have provided an action plan to the management to implement.”
How to access the pilot scheme
Free support is available for care homes and funding is allocated on a first come first served basis. If accepted onto the pilot, organisations will need to consent to participate in the confidential research project, which will evaluate the Data Security and Protection Toolkit, for effectiveness.
Email england.dsptney@nhs.net to express your interest or reach out to the NEBRC to discuss the range of potential services they offer at enquiries@nebrcentre.co.uk.
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