What data protection to consider as part of a digital transformation

Sponsored by Cisco and Focus Group

How can the sector work to combat cyberattacks and data breaches in social housing? This Inside Housing, Cisco and Focus Group webinar discusses what can be done

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How can the sector work to combat cyberattacks and data breaches in social housing? This @Insidehousing and @Cisco webinar discusses what can be done #UKhousing (sponsored)

“Housing associations can be more vulnerable to cyberattacks because there is less resource and the sensitive nature of the data might need greater protection,” says Sarah Lyons @NCSC #UKhousing @Cisco (sponsored)

“Using a cloud-based security system means it can be used across all users and sites, regardless of location – and it’s flexible and can be scaled up or down," says Mick McLean @Cisco #UKhousing (sponsored)

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In 2020, a quarter of UK social housing organisations were hit by cyberattacks, a figure that almost doubled (rising 92.7% year-on-year) in 2021 and last year saw the UK’s largest housing association attacked, affecting 124,000 homes and residents’ personal details.

Data breaches and cyberattacks threaten the relationship of trust between tenants and landlords. As the housing sector continues to prioritise digital transformation to streamline customer service, the need for each organisation to have robust strategies and solutions in place to prepare and protect them is more vital than ever.

This Inside Housing webinar – in association with networking, cloud and security solutions business Cisco and business technology provider Focus Group – will discuss:

What security should be put in place to protect digital systems and personal data of tenants and staff when working remotely?
How can housing associations build a robust IT infrastructure, that is moulded to their own unique set-up and needs?
What can leadership do to communicate and indicate trust in digital customer services offered to residents?
What provision needs to be made to protect landlords against cyberattacks in business plans and financial forecasts?
How can the sector work together to combat cyber-attacks and data breaches in social housing?

Participants

Sarah Lyons, deputy director for economy and society, National Cyber Security Centre
Ms Lyons is a senior leader at the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), where she has responsibility for economy and society resilience. The economy and society team leads on interactions with charities, small businesses, academic institutions and the wider private sector economy, as well as the public. Following a range of roles in Whitehall departments, Ms Lyons has been working in cyber security since 2010 and has grown the team from scratch when the NCSC was formed. She also led the NCSC’s cyber security support to the government’s COVID-19 response
@NCSC

Hassan Bahrani, director of IT, cyber and data security, Thirteen Group
Mr Bahrani has worked in the housing sector for more than 10 years. A technologist at heart, he is fascinated by the role cyber and information security plays when provisioning services for customers and managing risk effectively.
@Thirteen_Group

Mick McLean, head of enterprise solutions, Focus Group
Mr McLean joined Focus Group as head of enterprise solutions in 2022. Playing a fundamental role in the enterprise team, he is focused on delivering an outstanding customer experience. Mr McLean has more than 20 years of experience in IT, having previously held technology and leadership roles in specialist managed service providers, and delivered large-scale systems integrators across cloud, security, networks and collaboration.

@Cisco

Douglas Silverstone, director of technology, Southern Housing
Mr Silverstone has a background in large-scale data, technology and cyber security change projects. He is a thought leader in maximising value organisations drive from technology. He has been involved in initiatives to improve the use of tech, and is passionate about the benefits of collaboration the positive impact tech can have on people’s lives. He regularly leads discussions on emerging technology, use of data and tech for good. He is an experienced charity trustee and sits on the AbilityNet board, a charity dedicated to helping people with disabilities to access technology. He has more than 20 years of experience on technology change projects and has implemented major change projects across the not-for-profit and government sectors. He has led cybersecurity, data and tech teams and implemented GDPR, and tech/data strategies.
@SHGroupUK