Delegates from across Wales visiting today's annual e-Crime Wales Summit in Newport will learn the full extent of the e-Crime threat facing Welsh businesses. Based on the most recent figures, £6 billion is the estimated annual cost to the UK economy of e-Crime; an approximate proportion of which can be extrapolated to apply to the Welsh business community.
In response, e-Crime Wales has announced a UK first; the appointment of a
national e-Crime Sergeant, and plans to appoint a further police professional in each of the four Welsh police force areas by September 2008. e-Crime Wales is also unveiling plans for an extensive
awareness-raising tour to businesses, initially in eight locations across Wales, to take place during October this year.
Detective Chief Superintendent Chris Corcoran, Chair of the e-Crime Wales Steering Group said, "Businesses in Wales face global e-Crime challenges, as e-Crime threats become more aggressive, intelligent and complex. The best response is to equip Wales's business community with the understanding and support they need to remain safe. We are taking action, and continue to demonstrate leadership in how to combat e-Crime with a strategy that remains unique from both UK and international perspectives."
e-Crime Wales is an internationally respected strategy conceived four years ago in order to devise ways of removing e-Crime as an obstacle to business ICT adoption. The secondment of qualified police professionals into the dedicated e-Crime Wales Unit represents the most recent development in an ambitious and progressive set of initiatives which has successfully brought together the Welsh Assembly Government, the four Welsh police forces, business leaders, major private sector organisations and the IT security community - toward a common goal.
Following the e-Crime Sergeant's appointment, he will be closely involved in the recruitment process for a further four police professionals covering the South Wales, North Wales, Gwent and Dyfed-Powys forces, respectively. All appointments are anticipated to be finalised in time for the e-Crime Wales Business Awareness Roadshow, the provisional timetable for which is as follows:
More details about the specific content and agendas for each event will publicised locally in due course. For further information about e-Crime Wales visit www.ecrimewales.com.