The dangers of online attacks, which could cost small business owners up to £115K, are being highlighted during a two-week awareness campaign organised by onlincolnshire.

According to the Department for Business and Innovation and Skills during 2014 60% of small businesses have suffered a security breach, with a staggering 81% of large businesses incurring the same problem.

To combat this, onlincolnshire is running a series of workshops across the county to show businesses how they can protect their IT systems and data.

Cllr Colin Davie, Executive Member for Economic Development at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “The number of internet security breaches affecting businesses in the UK is rising, which is why onlincolnshire is launching this campaign.

“Organisations need to improve their understanding of the security threats they face so they can do more to protect themselves.

“The average cost to a small business of its worst security breach is now between £65K and £115K, which is money many companies can’t afford to lose and could put some out of business altogether.”

Starting on 2^nd December there will be four daytime seminars and two evening events in Lincoln, Horncastle, Louth, Mablethorpe, Uppingham and Gainsborough.

The free workshops will explain the devastating impact viruses, malware and hackers can have on companies, how to minimise risks and how to plan for disasters.

Led by cyber security experts, the seminars will be jargon-free and easy to understand and they are fully funded, which means they’re free to attend. They are open to all businesses in Lincolnshire and Rutland as part of a wider project of support which is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Firms who attend the sessions may also be eligible for up to 12 hours of free business advice and coaching.

To find out more visit: http://www.onlincolnshire.org/events or to book your free place please call 0300 80 80 120 or email onlincolnshire@lincs-chamber.co.uk.

You can also follow @onlincolnshire on Twitter and www.facebook.com/onlincolnshire or visit the website www.onlincolnshire.org

Event Timetable

Notes to Editors:

About onlincolnshire

• onlincolnshire is a Lincolnshire County Council-run project which is part-funded by the East Midlands European Regional Development Fund Programme 2007 to 2013.

• In March 2013, the council signed a £48 million contract with BT to provide superfast broadband to at least 88% of county properties by 2016, with the remaining properties having access to at least of 2Mbps broadband. A further investment of £2.8 million was announced in February 2014 which has increased the number of properties to 89%.

• The contract with BT concentrates on an intervention area of over 150,000 premises where existing or planned commercial roll outs would not deliver superfast speeds.

• The Department for Communities and Local Government is the managing authority for the European Regional Development Fund Programme, which is one of the funds established by the European Commission to help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support local businesses and create jobs. For more information visit www.communities.gov.uk/erdf

• Some internet users in rural Lincolnshire experience speeds of less than 1 Mbps. The UK’s average broadband speed is 12 Mbps, according to Ofcom.

• onlincolnshire also offers up to 12 hours of support and advice to eligible Lincolnshire businesses to help them make the most of their access to improved broadband. Specialist consultants provide demonstrations, workshops, masterclasses or one-to-one coaching and mentoring to businesses to improve their services, processes, productivity and profitability.

For further information or to arrange interviews, please contact:
Kate Strawson
Shooting Star PR
kate@weareshootingstar.co.uk
01522 528540
07733 230293
@KateStrawson