# The Network Group Events calls on the Government to invest in public awareness campaign around cyber security Author: Pal Sinha, Barnali Author URL: https://financedigest.com/author/pal-sinha-barnali Published: 2017-03-29 Category: INVESTING Category URL: https://financedigest.com/category/investing Meta Title: 62% of CISOs Prioritising Security Awareness in Business Meta Description: 62% of CISOs in the financial industry prioritize security awareness training. Experts like hacker Jamie Woodruff urge Government action. URL: https://financedigest.com/the-network-group-events-calls-on-the-government-to-invest-in-public-awareness-campaign-around-cyber-securityhtml ![undefined](https://prod.superblogcdn.com/site_cuid_cm5qst7v3003gwirgwqtxn8i8/images/businessman-standing-and-wo-1-1736844026864-compressed.jpg) - _62% of CISOs attending the Financial Services Information Security Network said they were prioritising security awareness in their business_ The Network Group Events, alongside information security experts including ethical hacker Jamie Woodruff and former Rothschild & Co CISO Naveen Vasudeva, has called on the Government to invest in security awareness measures. The Group, which runs the annual Financial Services Information Security Network event that is attended by CISOs from the FTSE 250, wants the Government to use part of its £1.9bn National Cyber Security Strategy budget for a public awareness campaign to educate people about cyber security best practice. The news comes alongside statistics from The Network Group Events, which polls financial [services CISOs](https://www.financedigest.com/three-areas-of-focus-for-financial-service-cisos-in-2022.html "Three areas of focus for Financial Service CISOs in 2022") each year, showing that 62% of c-level information security experts see security awareness management as an investment priority. [Security awareness training involves educating employees to help them better identify and avoid malicious cyber](https://www.financedigest.com/the-new-cyber-agency-helping-tech-startups-stay-secure.html "The New Cyber Agency Helping Tech Startups Stay Secure") activity or recognise a potential cyber-attack. Recently cyber [security experts from the National Crime Agency and National Cyber Security](https://www.financedigest.com/how-to-handle-cyber-security-during-mergers-and-acquisitions.html "How to Handle Cyber Security during Mergers and Acquisitions") Centre warned of a rise in so-called ransomware attacks, where an individual’s smartphone, television or other gadgets are held to ransom over personal data. Jake Summerfield, Managing Director, The Network Group Events, said, “Despite investment in new systems and processes designed to combat the [cyber threat](https://www.financedigest.com/how-are-rising-cyber-threats-boosting-demand-for-public-safety-software.html "How are Rising Cyber Threats Boosting Demand for Public Safety Software"), humans remain the weakest link in most security plans. Whether it’s using an infected personal device in a private network or clicking on a malicious email, it only takes a simple action to cause a breach that can render cyber defence systems redundant and [leave company](https://www.financedigest.com/unilever-cfo-pitkethly-to-leave-company-by-may-2024.html "Unilever CFO Pitkethly to leave company by May 2024") data at risk. “The Government has already pledged to spend £1.9bn on tackling cyber-crime in its National [Cyber Security](https://www.financedigest.com/the-future-of-cyber-security.html "THE FUTURE OF CYBER SECURITY") Strategy. At The Network Group Events, we want to see a proportion of this budget used to kick-start a public campaign which raises awareness about cyber-security best practice and how individuals can [keep their devices](https://www.financedigest.com/the-ent-devices-market-to-keep-up-the-digitized-momentum.html "The Ent Devices Market to keep up the digitized momentum") protected. From our close work with information [security experts at the Financial Services Information Security Network](https://www.financedigest.com/new-demands-on-network-security.html "NEW DEMANDS ON NETWORK SECURITY"), CISOs are also considering the benefits of security awareness programmes, with nearly two-thirds of our attendees telling us it was one of their investment priorities.” Naveen Vasudeva, former CISO, Rothschild & Co, said, “Whether it’s a small business or a global financial institution, ensuring employees are [aware of and are able to spot](https://www.financedigest.com/being-aware-of-the-insurance-blind-spot-when-it-comes-to-driverless-cars.html "Being aware of the insurance blind spot when it comes to driverless cars") cyber threats can be vital to a company’s future operations. It’s very easy for a team member to unknowingly infect a private [company network](https://www.financedigest.com/hackers-hit-italian-oil-company-enis-computer-networks.html "Hackers hit Italian oil company Eni’s computer networks") just by clicking on a bad link that downloads a virus onto their phone or tablet device. Education is key is to avoiding such scenarios, raising awareness with employees and the public on how to spot the [red flags](https://www.financedigest.com/finance-brokers-bank-on-red-flag-alert-to-help-beat-fraud.html "FINANCE BROKERS BANK ON RED FLAG ALERT TO HELP BEAT FRAUD") of a potential cyber-attack or content infected with malware. “If the Government is serious about cyber security, as well investing in the technology to prevent malicious [attacks we need an active approach to raising awareness about cyber](https://www.financedigest.com/lloyds-of-london-investigates-possible-cyber-attack.html "Lloyd’s of London investigates possible cyber attack") security best practice and the threats of an infected advice with the public.” Jamie Woodruff, prolific hacker and IT security expert, said, “With recent high-profile cyber-attacks like TalkTalk and Lloyds Banking Group, it’s all too easy to forget that in many cases members of the public themselves can be the Trojan horse for a hacker. “An infected personal or work device can be an easy [route for a cyber-criminal to gain access to a private company](https://www.financedigest.com/companies-are-empowered-to-retain-control-with-alternative-routes-to-liquidity.html "Companies are empowered to retain control with alternative routes to liquidity") network. It’s therefore vital that companies and the Government work [together to invest](https://www.financedigest.com/10-ways-to-put-together-a-killer-investment-pitch.html "10 WAYS TO PUT TOGETHER A KILLER INVESTMENT PITCH") more in making individuals, whether it’s their employees or the public, to be more aware about potential cyber threats.” --- This blog is powered by Superblog. Visit https://superblog.ai to know more. ---