Security menace to Warwickshire homes and businesses

The MP for Warwick and Leamington visited the Leamington headquarters of Nettitude Ltd, where he met chief executive Rowland Johnson.

Mr Johnson, who founded the company in 2003, explained how his staff now deliver cyber security and risk management services to some of the biggest companies in the UK, as well as others based in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

He said: “Recent news stories about the theft of data and the collection of databases of user names and passwords by cyber criminals is growing. We help companies to continually improve the security of their computer networks and the data they hold.”

Mr White learned that some of these checks involve “penetration testing” - which actually involves expert staff actively attempting to break into a company’s network by mimicking the tactics used by the real criminals.

And a core element of this is “social engineering,” adopting the same confidence tricks to exploit people - inevitably the weakest link in any company’s security chain.

After his visit Mr White said: “I was delighted to see a local business that is heavily involved in helping tackle the growing threats posed by cyber crime in the UK and further afield. The team are clearly dedicated to supporting Britain’s cyber security export market and the fact that the business is continuing to create jobs in the area is excellent news for the local community.”