Local businesses across Avon and Somerset can now access Police CyberAlarm, a free tool designed to help organisations understand and monitor the threat they face from malicious cyber activity.

Funded by the Government, Police CyberAlarm acts as like 'CCTV camera', monitoring the traffic seen by a businesses' connection to the internet. It will detect and provide regular reports of suspected malicious activity, enabling a business to take steps to improve their cyber resilience.

Once a business or organisation becomes a Police CyberAlarm member, they will need to install the 'CyberAlarm Virtual Server', which will then collect and process traffic logs identifying suspicious activity from the firewall.

Police CyberAlarm does not see any content of any network traffic; it monitors the logs relating to the traffic to identify suspicious activity. It is designed to protect personal data, trade secrets and intellectual property.

As a Police CyberAlarm member, businesses will benefit from regular reports detailing suspicious and potentially malicious attack activity on their firewall/internet gateway. The tool will show them how they are being attacked, where from and also help law enforcement identify current threats to take enforcement action against cyber criminals.

Police CyberAlarm can benefit any business with a computer network including SMEs, organisations, public and private sector, charities, education establishments and local government.

PCC Mark Shelford said: "We know that the threat against businesses are increasing, and the police and organisations need to work together to combat this threat. The Police CyberAlarm is a great example of what can be achieved when policing and organisations work together.

"The average cost of a cyberattack to a small business is around £11,000 and, unfortunately, there are thousands of successful attacks every day. Cyber security should be a priority for every single business, no matter how big or small. We want as many businesses to sign up as possible; the more data that police receive means there will be more understanding of current and emerging threats.

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"I encourage all businesses to sign up and take advantage of this free tool."

Businesses can sign up via cyberalarm.police/#join. You will receive a unique code, which once added to the website, will provide access to full instructions regarding how to install the Police CyberAlarm.