Operating in the current economic landscape, businesses, including SMEs, sole traders and charities, are aware of the accelerating need for innovation and the significant progress of technological advances.

From the digitisation of customs procedures to managing your company’s online presence and brand, technology has made a huge difference to the way we do business. However, while there are many benefits to embracing all things digital, your business could also be opening itself up to a host of cyber threats.

It is important for organisations to take a proactive approach to cyber resilience to protect their brand, customers and stakeholders. To support its membership, Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid leads the way by connecting members with partners , such as the Cyber Resilience Centre for Wales (WCRC), to offer guidance and support on cyber issues.

What is the Cyber Resilience Centre for Wales?

Launched in 2021, the WCRC is part of a not-for-profit nationwide network of centres aimed at helping businesses to protect themselves against cybercrime.

The WCRC is a partnership between academia, the police and private sector which helps Welsh SMEs, micro-businesses, supply chain businesses, self-employed sole traders, charities and other third sector organisations to build, maintain and increase cyber resilience.

What does membership include?

The WCRC has a large membership base made up of more than 2,000 organisations across Wales. Its members cover a wide range of sectors, with 94% of them being SMEs, micro-businesses and sole traders.

Part of the centre’s focus as an organisation is to provide businesses with an affordable way to access cybersecurity services and guidance. Therefore, its core membership is free to Welsh businesses and there are options to upgrade to paid membership for further benefits if required.

The free core membership is popular among SMEs and includes early bird invites to webinars on the latest cyber trends and updates,   tips to help firms tackle cyber threats and easy to follow cybersecurity exercises and toolkits.

Do the Chamber and Cyber Resilience Centre for Wales work together?

Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid’s CEO Paul Butterworth is a member of the WCRC’s Advisory Group which includes representation from government, businesses and  organisations from across Wales. In addition to raising awareness of the WCRC’s work with businesses of all sectors and sizes in Wales, the Advisory Group also provides feedback on the centre’s services to improve its offering.

The WCRC also has a management board which includes representation from senior policing, the charity sector and the private sector, and partners with IASME certification bodies who are approved Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus certifiers in Wales.

If you would like to learn more about becoming a WCRC member or would like to sign up visit www.wcrcentre.co.uk. Alternatively, you can speak to someone about your own cyber security and concerns by emailing enquiries@wcrcentre.co.uk.