The government launched a new online cyber security training course to help the procurement profession stay safe online.

The new interactive course will help people working in procurement protect themselves, their businesses and their suppliers from cyber attack. Developed in partnership by government and industry, the training is freely available online and will help UK businesses protect themselves from information breaches and other threats potentially costing millions of pounds.

Access the new online training for staff and businesses.

The government’s recently published 2015 Information Security Breaches Survey shows 74% of small businesses and 90% of large organisations reported an information security breach in the past year. 50% of the worst breaches were caused by inadvertent human error.

Procurement professionals deal with a wide range of sensitive commercial and financial information which is central to the successful operation of many businesses. The course will increase awareness of common cyber risks and threats procurement professionals may experience in the workplace and how to prevent and deal with them. It provides advice on how to safeguard digital information, raise awareness of cyber issues with suppliers and gives examples of how to deal with issues such as information breaches in the workplace.

Giles Smith, Deputy Director of Cyber Security and Resilience at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, said: “The UK is doing a great job in harnessing digital technologies to help businesses grow and thrive, so government wants to help industry keep its online activities secure. This new training course will help those working in purchasing and supply chain management understand the cyber threat and how to protect themselves and their information.

“We know firms benefit when they train their staff and take the cyber security threat seriously, so I encourage all businesses to take up the training, advice and support on offer from government.”