Ethical hacker and author Joe Hormenoo is joining forces with the Marches Growth Hub and Department for Business and Trade (DBT) for an online event which aims to save small businesses from expensive cyber attacks.
Joe, a certified ethical hacker with Round Cyber, will highlight some of the common vulnerabilities and their fixes at a free online webinar, hosted jointly with the Stoke and Staffordshire Growth Hub and DBT’s Cyber Hub on March 12 from 10am-11am.
After a long career in software development, Joe said he decided to move into cyber security after seeing friends and family get scammed.
He said: “It can come across as a very dodgy job! You see things you should probably never see, so for people to be comfortable with that they have to trust you. I had to train and get certification to make people more comfortable.
“Anything that can be connected to the internet or via Bluetooth can be hacked. Whether that’s a drone or whatever, I will find a way into it – ethically, obviously. I recently hacked – accidentally – into someone’s food dispenser, which was internet connected!”
One of the ways Joe highlights cyber vulnerabilities is to simulate a cyber attack on a website to show where weaknesses are, before suggesting steps the business can take to fix those weaknesses.
Shropshire Growth Hub’s Emma Chapman said the event hoped to give SMEs the tools to prevent a cyber attack.
“Nearly half of all small businesses have experienced a cyber attack or security breach in the last year. Working with the Stoke and Staffordshire Growth Hub and the Department for Business and Trade, we want to alert businesses to the dangers though this webinar. The cost to the average business is more than £1,000 for each breach – that’s a price which can be avoided if you know where the risks are.”
Joe’s presentation at the seminar is likely to prove an eye-opener for those who attend, as he demonstrates just how much information can be gathered about an individual or a business from openly-available sources, without even having to do anything illegal.
Joe has recently published a book, You’ve Been an Absolute Joy to Hack: A Hackers Favourite Small Business Mistakes (and how to avoid them). He said he wanted to make small businesses aware that they are often very easy targets for hackers and scammers, and to encourage them to take steps to protect themselves.
He said: “People are sometimes scared of the topic, so I wanted to put it across in a way that was easy to understand. It’s just like locking a door in your house – once you know, you do it.”
To find out more about protecting your business from online threats, join in the seminar on March 12. Tickets are free and can be booked via marchesgrowthhub.co.uk/events/cyber-security-addressing-risk-in-a-digital-age-2/
Ethical hacker and author Joe Hormenoo is teaming up with the Marches Growth Hub and Department for Business and Trade (DBT) for an online event focused on helping small businesses avoid costly cyber attacks.
Joe, a certified ethical hacker with Round Cyber, will be leading a free online webinar on March 12 from 10am-11am. During the event, he will discuss common vulnerabilities and their solutions. The webinar is being hosted in collaboration with the Stoke and Staffordshire Growth Hub and DBT’s Cyber Hub.
With a background in software development, Joe transitioned into cyber security after witnessing friends and family fall victim to scams. He emphasizes the importance of cybersecurity in today's digital age, where anything connected to the internet or Bluetooth can be vulnerable to hacking.
One of Joe's methods for highlighting cyber vulnerabilities is by simulating a cyber attack on a website to demonstrate weaknesses and recommend steps for improvement. The goal of the event is to equip SMEs with the knowledge and tools to prevent cyber attacks, which can cost businesses over £1,000 per breach on average.
Emma Chapman from Shropshire Growth Hub stresses the importance of raising awareness about cyber threats, especially since nearly half of small businesses have experienced a cyber attack or security breach in the past year. The webinar aims to educate businesses on the risks and provide guidance on safeguarding against cyber threats.
Joe's presentation at the seminar promises to be enlightening, as he showcases how easily accessible information can be used to gather data about individuals or businesses without resorting to illegal means. His recent book, "You’ve Been an Absolute Joy to Hack: A Hackers Favourite Small Business Mistakes (and how to avoid them)," aims to educate small businesses on the vulnerabilities they face and encourage proactive measures for protection.
To learn more about safeguarding your business from online threats, consider attending the seminar on March 12. Tickets are free and can be reserved through marchesgrowthhub.co.uk/events/cyber-security-addressing-risk-in-a-digital-age-2/
