[C]yber security is rarely out of the headlines at the moment.
Whether it’s use of personal data, identity theft, abuse on social media or banking fraud, it’s understandable that may people have concerns about staying safe online.
To address these issues and offer practical advice and guidance, two free community training sessions are being offered in South Lakeland next week.
The training is being funded by Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner, and will be delivered by the South Cumbria Community Safety Partnership (CSP), which is made up of organisations including South Lakeland District Council, Cumbria County Council, the police and fire services and voluntary organisations, all working together to help to tackle issues around crime and disorder and promoting community safety.
The online safety training is aimed at individuals and businesses and is particularly suitable for community group representatives who can then pass the information on through their organisations.
The sessions will be led by Get Safe Online, the UK’s leading source of unbiased, factual and easy-to-understand information on online safety.
Sessions will be held on Tuesday, 5 June, at the following locations:
- Windermere, Marchesi Centre – 9am to 12 noon
- Ambleside, Ambleside Parish Centre – 2pm to 5pm
The training will cover cyber security topics around online shopping, online finance, social media, keeping children safe online and advice for small businesses and there will be plenty of opportunities to ask questions and seek further advice.
Training sessions will last approximately three hours. Refreshments will be provided and certificates issued to all attendees.
Two online safety courses have already taken place earlier this year in Barrow and Grange-over-Sands, and Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner Peter McCall says they offer invaluable advice for anyone concerned about cyber security.
Mr McCall commented: “Cyber-crime is a key threat to individuals, businesses and our communities alike and that is why I have funded Get Safe Online who are specialists in the field of cyber security. They will work with the three Community Safety Partnerships to deliver the programme across the county.
“Most of us use the internet to one degree or another to communicate, manage our finances, obtain products and services and enjoy entertainment, and it really is a wonderful resource.
“However, this is changing the way that criminals target people, and unfortunately things can and do go wrong. More and more people of all ages and backgrounds are affected by fraud, identity theft and abuse, while in South Cumbria we know of a number of businesses falling victim to cyber attacks.
“The information and advice offered on these courses next week is invaluable in understanding how to protect yourself and what to look out for, and I would urge anyone concerned about their online security to consider attending.
“Feedback from the many people who have participated in these sessions so far is that even though they thought they were ‘cyber-savvy’, they still came away with some excellent advice and tips.”
To book places on the Ambleside and Windermere courses on 5 June or for more information please contact: [email protected], telephone: 01539 793266.
