Security and Governance WARP for SMEs (NUWARP)
In respect of computer systems and data security the majority of Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are not doing enough to protect themselves and their customers' information (BERR, 2008).
A Warning, Advice & Reporting Point for SMEs (NUWARP) is a long term solution to enhancing the resilience of UK SMEs, and helping to increase regional business productivity. The NUWARP is a community based service where members can receive (NB, we would join/collaborate with other WARPs in providing these services):
- Filtered Warning Service - where members receive digital security information they need, selected via an on-line tick list;
- Advice Brokering Service - where members receive information security advice and best practice, learn from other members' initiatives and experiences;
- Trusted Sharing Service - where members use 'anonymised' reports to learn from each others' attacks and incidents, without fear of embarrassment or recrimination, providing a trusted environment for sanitised incident reports;
- Incident Response Service - where members' can seek independent technical solutions to their information security problems, and can undertake specific information system security training offered by the NUWARP project team at Northumbria University.
The NUWARP will contribute to BERR PSA 1 & 7, namely 'raising the productivity of the UK economy', and 'improving the economic performance of all English regions and reduce the gap in economic growth rates between the regions'.
