Writtle University College and ARU have merged. Writtle’s full range of college, degree, postgraduate and short courses will still be delivered on the Writtle campus. See our guide to finding Writtle information on this site.

ARU is helping local businesses fight cyber-crime

Published: 6 April 2021 at 16:00

Finger on a keyboard

Online event will involve Essex Chambers of Commerce, FSB and Essex Police

Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) is co-hosting a cyber security conference on Friday, 16 April to help local businesses from across the East of England protect themselves from new and emerging online threats.

The free event – held in association with the Essex Chambers of Commerce and the Federation of Small Businesses – will feature the Chief Constable of Essex Police, BJ Harrington, as well as experts from the Home Office and ARU.

The online conference will run from 8:30am-11am and will include an evaluation of the risks posed by new and emerging cyber threats, the vulnerabilities that may expose businesses to attack, and the most effective ways that businesses can improve their defences. 

Over the last 12 months, ARU has been running a Government-funded project to help small businesses in the East region identify and fix their online vulnerabilities. Dr Christian Kemp will provide an overview of this project while Adrian Winckles will present a new tool, developed by ARU, that demonstrates how cyber-attacks unfold and the different steps businesses can take to mitigate against the risks.

Dr Kemp, Course Leader for the BA (Hons) in Criminology and Policing at ARU, said:

“I would encourage all local businesses to attend this conference so they can learn about the various services that are available to protect themselves from cyber-attack.

“This conference also demonstrates the partnerships that have been forged between Anglia Ruskin University, the Essex Chambers of Commerce, the Federation of Small Businesses, the police, and the Home Office.

“These partnerships bring together law enforcement at a local and national level, with academics and our local business communities, all with the aim of helping our businesses deal with this rapidly-evolving threat.”


The conference is free for all small and medium-sized businesses based in Essex, Kent, Bedfordshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Hertfordshire, and Cambridgeshire. To reserve a place, register at the Essex Chambers of Commerce website