Challenging the Cyber Threats

Although the Gravesham Business Awards opened for entries on 1 January via the website, a formal launch took place at Ebbsfleet Football Ground on Wednesday 13 March. 

The event was held alongside the council’s Business Network evening and included a useful theme of cyber security, which has been spiraling in recent years.

Superintendent Paul Lopez from the Eastern Cyber Resilience Centre explained not only how wide open we all leave ourselves to criminals, but they are very sophisticated. 

And it's right across the board no matter what size your business and unlike private individuals, the banks don’t put any stolen funds back into your account. 

Phil Walton director at Softforge followed through on the same theme by suggesting handy tips on how to keep your website safe. Keeping alert at all times is imperative as are self-help simple actions such as changing your password.

The awards chair of judges Keith Mason, partner at Barnes Roffe, chartered accountants, addressed the fifty-odd audience and said the judges never failed to be very impressed with the level of diversity in the area’s companies, but he encouraged people to enter by clicking on to the website.  Size was irrelevant to any company’s outstanding success and he also stressed the need for companies to put forward their apprentices. It gives them a feeling of self-esteem.

The closing date is 31 July and all entrants have their companies featured on the website.