Police Thwart Cyber Attack on Yorkshire Coast Firm

Wednesday, 26 July 2023 06:00

By Matthew Pells

A Cyber Attack on a major Yorkshire Coast Company has been thwarted by officers from North Yorkshire Police.

North Yorkshire Police say their cyber crime unit responded quickly to a tip off from the national cyber security centre.

Detective Inspector Gavin Mayes, says the prompt response avoided major damage.

Ransomware is said to be the the most significant cyber threat facing the UK. Between April 2022 and March 2023, the UK was the second most
attacked country in the world and North Yorkshire businesses are regularly attacked.

DI Gavin Mayes says a tip off from the National Cyber Security Centre enabled the local cybercrime unit to intervene and prevent the ransomware attack, on what's described as a "£35m business".

He says the ability of the local Cybercrime team to respond quickly was key to preventing major damage to the firm.

DI Mayes says that the vast majority of cyber attacks on firms and individuals start with a phishing email.

The North Yorkshire Cybercrime unit has a range of training resources available to local firms to help them protect themselves against cybercrime including a "Cyber Escape Room" session which was launched in January. The exercise teaches businesses good online security techniques to help protect against phishing and improve data privacy and password strength. Over 165 people have been on the Escape Room course since it launched.

The team are also involved in Community engagement and in the last 12 months have attended events in Scarborough, Malton, Whitby, York, Harrogate, Ripon, Skipton and Northallerton where specialist cybercrime officers have spoken with over 1500 members of the public

There is more information about Cyber Crime protection at https://www.northyorkshire.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/fa/fraud/online-fraud/

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