The Locksmith Journal May/Jun 2021 - Issue 74 | Page 54

SECTOR INSIGHT

‘ Force ’ is with new Cyber Security Association

» THE POLICE DIGITAL SECURITY Centre is supporting the UK Cyber Security Association ( UKCSA ), which officially launched on Tuesday 4th May 2021 , and is open for membership .
The UK Cyber Security Association is a membership organisation for individuals , small businesses , SMEs and corporate companies who are involved in or who work in the cyber security industry in the UK . Members receive a wide range of benefits including access to the latest cyber security industry news , discounts on courses , seminars , networking events , conferences , and items such as insurance and penetration testing , access to a directory of members and much more .
The UK Cyber Security Association also lobbies and campaigns heavily for businesses of all sizes to take the growing cyber security threat more seriously . The UK Cyber Security Association is a not-forprofit company limited by guarantee .
Individuals and organisations who actively work in the cyber security industry can now join the UK Cyber Security Association as members and be part of a strong and caring community in the cyber security industry .
The UK Cyber Security Association will work to a clear vision , mission , and set of objectives that ensures best practice and information sharing from the cyber security industry in the UK and internationally . The primary focus of the UK Cyber Security Association will be on building a strong and caring community of individuals and organisations who actively work in cyber security both in the UK and internationally . This will allow best practice and collaboration when it comes to the growing cyber threat and combatting it . In addition , the UK Cyber Security Association will also raise awareness of the growing cyber threat though proactive thought leadership and education / training that focuses on how individuals and organisations can protect themselves as much as possible from cyber-crime and all types of online and offline fraud .
Some of the benefits that members can expect as part of their membership includes access to a community online forum and portal to meet , engage with and interact with other members , quarterly member briefing events , partnership opportunities , access to a program of events and training sessions and regular email updates and weekly member emails , amongst other things . Members will also have opportunities to take part in working groups to help shape the association as it grows and develops .
The UK Cyber Security Association is the brainchild of Lisa Ventura , an awardwinning cyber security professional based in Worcester , UK . She spotted a gap for a strong community in cyber security that aims to bring individuals , organisations , and other cyber security related groups together to share information and best practice in the industry , and the UK Cyber Security Association was born in 2019 . Since then , it has been in an expressions of interest phase and undertaken project work and campaigns in various areas such as women in cyber security , neurodiversity and cyber security , the cyber skills gap , cyber security for small businesses and SMEs and the
importance of staying safe online when working remotely during the pandemic .
An overall aim is to work closely with government and other trade bodies and cyber security groups to share best practice and initiatives . Other initiatives that the UK Cyber Security Association is involved in is the production of a documentary called “ Safer Cyber Spaces ” with ITN Productions and a documentary on cyber-crime with the BBC .
Speaking of the launch , Lisa Ventura , CEO & Founder of the UK Cyber Security Association said : “ In 2019 I spotted a gap for a membership / trade association in cyber security and the UK Cyber Security Association was born . Since then , it has been in an expressions of interest phase which has exceeded all my expectations and we are now fully open for membership .
“ Cyber-crime has grown exponentially in recent years , especially during the global pandemic , and it has never been more important for individuals and organisations to take their cyber security seriously . We are delighted with the response to the idea of a membership association for cyber security and look forward to welcoming and helping our members as the association grows and develops .”
www . cybersecurityassociation . co . uk
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