Cyber security has become headline news in recent years – with attacks on major outlets such as M&S and Jaguar Land Rover having huge ramifications.
All of which has made companies sit up and take notice. Which is why a live cyber incident simulation taking place in the county next month is likely to draw a healthy crowd.
Taking place in Maidstone on February 4, it will give business leaders in the county the opportunity to experience what it’s like when an attack happens – and test their responses under pressure.
It is being delivered by cyber security experts from the Kent & Medway Cyber Cluster (KMCC).
It is the regional arm of the UK Cyber Cluster Collaboration (UKC3) – a national body that connects and supports regional cyber security clusters across the UK, aiming to boost economic growth, skills, and innovation in the sector.
It will be assisted by cybersecurity training firm Cognitas Global and consultancy Goaco.
The free event – to register click here – runs from 8.30am to 2pm at the Mercure Maidstone Great Danes Hotel.
A spokesperson for the event said: “With the government’s Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2025 revealing that 42% of small businesses experienced cyber breaches and attacks over the assessed 12-month period, and medium businesses even higher at 67%, this highlights that the majority of SMEs in Kent face real cyber risk.
“Although cyber incidents are not disclosed regionally by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), high-profile cyber incidents have occurred in Kent’s public sector – for example an incident in early 2025 affecting an NHS provider and 2024’s simultaneous cyber attacks on Canterbury, Dover and Thanet councils.
“This disrupted online services and required coordinated incident response alongside the NCSC. Incidents have also been recorded in several Kent schools causing closures and school system shutdowns.
“The incidents have costly consequences, with Kent County Council being forced to pay out thousands in compensation for data breaches in 2024.”
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