It is with great delight that I write my first blog as the Chief Executive of the London Digital Security Centre. As this is also the Centre’s first blog of 2017, I want to take this opportunity to provide you with an overview of who we are, and our plans for 2017 as there are big things coming from us!
What is the London Digital Security Centre?
Established by the Mayor of London, we work hand in hand with the Metropolitan Police, the City of London Police and with partners from academia and private industry. We aim to make a positive difference to the digital security of businesses, and play our part in ensuring businesses are operating in a secure environment. Our role is to enable business owners and employees in all positions and at all levels, to understand and embrace their specific roles in keeping their organisation safe from the ever-increasing risks associated with operating online. We will do this through de-mystifying criminal threats, providing simple, measurable and effective solutions to help keep businesses protected, and pragmatic advice that ensures businesses can take control of their digital security, and exploit the benefits that digital enterprise allows.
I believe 2017 will be a great year for the Centre in our mission to help protect businesses.
London Digital Security Centre Membership
2017 is the year that we will be launching the London Digital Security Centre membership scheme. Membership of the Centre will bring immense benefits to businesses through enabling a wide range of services and products to be brought into their reach, both financially and through specialist support. The products available include online training modules, accreditation and monitoring of systems and an annual review of each member’s digital resilience.
Throughout the year, we will be providing free one to one consultation for members to help identify any vulnerabilities to online criminal threats and vulnerabilities. We will provide each member with a tailored plan to help enhance and enrich their current digital security.
Hitting the High Street
2017 is also the year that we will be ‘hitting the high street’ and having a physical presence in every borough across London. We will be visible, and in a variety of locations across London, with colleagues from the Metropolitan Police, the City of London Police, academia and private sector. We will be operating in a way that encourages communication and feedback with all businesses. We will be running a series of free workshops, conferences and masterclasses on all aspects of digital security. These events will help businesses to innovate and prosper in the digital world. My team at the Centre is committed to ensuring that we target the areas that cause businesses most concern, and that we enrich the ability of businesses to embrace digital enterprise in a secure manner.
Our goals for 2017
We want to help businesses, to operate in a secure environment and exploit digital innovations. We will achieve this through delivering services and products that allow businesses to enhance their technical security and prowess, and empower staff and customers to become (and remain!) protected when conducting business online.
We are here to help, and we are here for you. As the Mayor of London says “London is open for business”, this is equally applicable in both the physical world and the digital one. I look forward to being able to work with you, I welcome your comments and feedback on our work and I will ensure that we keep you updated on our progress and findings.
John Unsworth, Chief Executive
If you are interested in working with the London Digital Security Centre, or knowing more about the services that the London Digital Security Centre can provide to your business, forthcoming events or employment opportunities, please contact us via [email protected]
