A SECRET Service agent and banking expert will be among the guest speakers at a conference tomorrow organised to help businesses protect themselves against cyber crime which the Federation of Small businesses estimates to cost the UK economy more than £5 billion annually.

Organised by the Yorkshire and the Humber Regional Cyber Crime Unit, led by West Yorkshire Police, the inaugural Yorkshire and the Humber Cyber Protect Business Conference will bring together experts in a wide range of sectors including academia, law enforcement and industry to share insights and experiences about cyber crime.

It has been organised as cyber crime develops as an increasing threat to the public, businesses and Government.

The event is being opened by West Yorkshire Assistant Chief Constable Russ Foster.

He said: "Cyber crime is a growing threat and encompasses a wide range of activities, including; hacking, phishing, denial of service attacks, creating and distributing malware, unauthorised data access, corruption or deletion of data and the interception of data, as well as payment diversion fraud. 

"Cyber crime is committed by diverse individuals and groups, ranging from 'hacktivists' with political aims, through to organised criminal gangs for financial gain and paedophiles who abuse children and share their images for sexual gratification.

"Cyber crime can affect anyone or any organisation. Attacks can be targeted at servers, websites, computers, mobile devices and tablets, as well as information stored in the 'cloud'. 

"We hold regular campaigns to help people understand and protect themselves against the risks to them as individuals – including helping to support Safer Internet Day earlier this month.

"The risk applies in equal if not greater measure to businesses – whether small, medium or large – a cyber attack can have a devastating impact with the public losing confidence in particular organisations which can adversely affect share prices for the larger companies and risk smaller companies even going bankrupt and ceasing business altogether.

"It is vital therefore that the police service works with industry, academia and the general public to prevent cyber crime.

"Cyber crime is a local, regional, national and international threat and we cannot and must not work in isolation in our quest to prevent it. We are therefore bringing key stakeholders together to see what is already being done and what more can be done."

Other speakers at the event will include Matthew Callaghan from the United States Secret Service who will provide an insight into tackling international cyber crime so said he was "looking forward to building bridges with international partners."

Other organisations sending representatives include the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau, Europol, Agenci Limited, Cert UK, the National Police Chiefs' Council, Blue Logic and Sheffield Hallam University.

It takes place at the Leeds Bridge Conference Centre.

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