Joint exercise helps to test plans to combat cyber-crime on the Isle of Wight

On Monday 4 October and Tuesday 5 October a joint exercise was held in Ryde on the Isle of Wight to assess the impact that cyber-crime could have on groups like commuters and children travelling to school.

The interactive session was run by the Emergency Planning College in conjunction with the Cyber Security Branch of the Cabinet Office. More than fifty people from Hampshire Constabulary, the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (SEROCU), Isle of Wight Council, and Hovertravel attended the two-day interactive session, which aimed to test organisational responses to cyber-related incidents and boost competence and confidence.

As scenarios unfolded teams were asked to consider the developing situation from strategic, operational and communications perspectives.

The exercise concluded that there was a good collaborative, multi-agency response. It also highlighted that a difficult balance needed to be struck between investigative and business needs within dynamic situations.

Chief Inspector Steve Swift who oversees policing on the Isle of Wight said: “Cyber-crime is an increasingly common crime type, and exercises like this test our plans and ensure that we have a solid response by working with relevant partner agencies.

“By highlighting the risks that can be posed in the digital domain and the real world consequences of these, I believe the officers that took part now have a far greater understanding of the complexities of the response that is needed to tackle cyber-crime, as well as a greater awareness of the signs to look out for to better identify a potential cyber-attack.” 

Sergeant Andy Rawlinson of the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (SEROCU), said: “SEROCU has assisted in scoping and designing the exercise scenario based on real world cyber threats.

“We helped to lead part of this very important exercise to test out resilience which is invaluable for any organisation.

“There are ways all businesses can explore how prepared they are for a cyber-security incident and the National Cyber Security Centre has a free toolbox to help with just that. https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/information/exercise-in-a-box.

“Please have a look, get prepared and get exercising, it doesn’t mean it will happen, but it does mean you are ready if it every does.”

Neil Chapman, managing director of Hovertravel, added: “Cybercrime is a threat which can have serious impacts on all businesses and individuals. This exercise created the opportunity for attendees to sense-check their approaches and highlighted several opportunities for organisations to develop stronger partnerships with enhanced communications links. On behalf of Hovertravel I would like to thank the organisers and facilitators for making this exercise a rewarding and beneficial experience.”

For more information about cyber-crime and how you can stay safe online please visit: https://www.hampshire.police.uk/CYBERCRIME