Sunrise Technologies recently hosted a cybersecurity awareness event in Basildon, partnered with Essex Police and the Eastern Cyber Resilience Centre (ECRC), inviting members of the local business community to learn more about the growing cyber threats facing small and medium-sized enterprises. The event brought together business owners, IT professionals and community leaders for an engaging morning of discussion, insight, and hands-on learning, all focused on helping local organisations strengthen their digital resilience.
The goal of the event was simple: to provide businesses with practical knowledge and tools to better protect themselves online. Cybercrime continues to rise across the UK, and small businesses are often the most vulnerable. During the event, the team from the ECRC shared some eye-opening statistics, including that 50% of small businesses have fallen victim to cybercrime within the past twelve months. This figure alone served as a powerful reminder that cybercriminals are not just targeting large corporations, smaller organisations are equally at risk, often because their defences are less robust.
Understanding the Real Risks
A key message from the ECRC was the importance of strong passwords. They explained that a secure password should be unique, difficult to guess, and contain a mix of letters, numbers and symbols, and not be the same as another password you use. Many people still rely on passwords that include personal details, such as a pet’s name, a child’s birthday or a memorable location, but these are precisely the types of information that can be easily found online. A strong password should be long, complex, and used only once. To help businesses and individuals strengthen their security, Sunrise Technologies offers a free Password Generator that creates secure, randomised passwords designed to keep data protected.
Learning to Think Like a Hacker
The event also featured an interactive workshop led by representatives from Essex Police. Attendees were divided into small groups and asked to investigate how a mock cyberattack had occurred. The exercise revealed just how much information can be uncovered from seemingly harmless social media posts. In many cases, details like birthdays, pets’ names or even favourite sports teams can provide valuable clues for hackers attempting to access accounts or bypass security questions. The workshop highlighted an important truth: being mindful of what you share online can make a significant difference to your security. Even the smallest pieces of information, when combined, can be used to exploit vulnerabilities.
Later in the session, Simon Gurner, Founder of Sunrise Technologies, spoke about how the company continues to help clients stay secure through proactive IT management and cybersecurity services. Simon explained that Sunrise’s approach is centred around prevention, identifying risks before they become problems. He discussed how a proactive managed service provider (MSP) can protect businesses through constant monitoring, staff training, and layered security solutions. Simon also touched on some of the upcoming cybersecurity regulations that will affect UK businesses in the near future, emphasising the importance of compliance and preparation.
Building a Safer Digital Community
The event concluded with an open discussion about the shared responsibility of building a safer digital community. The partnership between Sunrise Technologies, Essex Police and the ECRC demonstrated how collaboration between private companies and public organisations can make a real difference in tackling cybercrime. It also reinforced that cybersecurity isn’t just an IT issue, it’s a business priority that affects every organisation, regardless of size or sector.
At Sunrise Technologies, we are proud to play our part in helping local businesses become more resilient, more informed, and more secure. Events like this are a reminder that when knowledge is shared, everyone benefits. If you missed the event and would like to learn more about protecting your business, contact us today to arrange a free cybersecurity assessment or visit www.sunrise-it.co.uk for more information.