City of London Police launch Cyber Griffin initiative to fight online crime in Square Mile
The City of London Police have launched a new initiative to help protect businesses in the Square Mile from cyber attacks.
Called ‘Cyber Griffin,’ the new programme will see specially-trained officers lead a series exercises which will include threat briefings, incident response training and more.
The initiative is aimed at businesses within the City and aims to reach those with very little knowledge of cyber crime threats, as well as people with IT security and risk roles.
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City of London police commissioner Ian Dyson, said: “As criminals working in the cyberspace become more sophisticated, it’s important we all have at least basic skills to combat those that seek to do us harm.
“Through this initiative the police and industry can work together to share skills and knowledge to protect ourselves from this evolving crime.”
The new initiative comes in the wake of results from a National Cyber Security Centre report which found a major increase in criminal cyber attacks against UK firms in 2017.
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Meanwhile, according to a recent Fujitsu report, only one-in-10 UK businesses think cybercrime and hacking are the biggest challenges to their business’ future economic success.
Commenting on the Cyber Griffin initiative, Tim Helming, director of product management at online security company Domaintools said:
“This is an encouraging step for the City of London police to take. Their involvement with the UK’s economy through the Square Mile puts them in a unique position where they can make a real difference, leading the way in encouraging the UK’s largest financial institutions from the dangers of malicious actors online.”
The Cyber Griffin programme will include free threat briefings designed to build basic defender skills, incident response exercises delivered by local officers, and the creation of advisory groups made up of experts from industry and the private sector
Sergeant Charlie Morrison who will lead the Cyber Griffin delivery team said:
“Cyber criminals specialise in looking for the weak spots in our security. Cyber Griffin therefore is about basics done well. Through briefings, incident response drills and expert guidance, the aim is to get the fundamentals right every time.
“In this case the best offence is a good defence.”