How good is your cyber security and could your business survive if it was hacked?

Small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in Dorset are invited to take part in free business cyber security training from next month.

BCP Council is currently looking for 300 SMEs from across the county – and not just Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole – to take part in its Cyberwell programme.

The project takes place online, over a two-month period, but only requires engagement for a short period of time

SMEs completing the trial will also have the chance to win free specialist consultancy and Cyber Essential’s certification, worth around £900.

The aim is to help small businesses in Dorset to become safer and more confident in cyber security and data management.

It’s recognised that such businesses are often short of time and assume their growth is not really linked to cyber and data compliance.

They also believe that hackers will target larger businesses but this, statistically, is not the case.

Cllr Mark Howell, BCP Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Culture, said: “SMEs are a vital part of our economy and we are pleased to be offering this training not just to businesses within the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area, but to SMEs from across the wider Dorset business community.

“If you represent a small to medium sized business, within our thriving local economy, I encourage you to take part and support this innovative programme.’’

To sign up to the project and watch a short recruitment video, visit: www.cyberwell.co.uk.

BCP Council is working in partnership with LiMETOOLS Ltd, Bournemouth University and Dorset Cyber Alliance.

It follows a successful funding application for £220,697 from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

BCP Council was helped in the application by Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership’s Bid Writing Service.

For more information about Cyberwell, contact Luke Watkins, Project Manager at [email protected].