Perpetuity Research

IT Security ‘top tips’ part 1: Phishing

Phishing is a criminally fraudulent process that attempts to compromise your security. Many of us have been exposed to this activity at one time or another whereby an attempt to acquire sensitive information such as our credit card details, usernames or passwords has been made under the guise of a familiar or trustworthy source.

Below are some handy tips to help safeguard you from phishing...

· Beware of fake emails, fake websites, valid emails with fake links (often from friends)

· Avoid clicking links in emails

· Be aware that a link can look like the right site (e.g. it reads as the name of a genuine site but the hyperlink itself links elsewhere). You can often hover over a link and it will display the real destination, either as a tooltip or at the bottom of the screen

· Don’t click on links that take you to logon pages – they may be masquerades  

· Watch for poor use of English, poor layout, if it “looks wrong” and anything that is too good to be true.

Perpetuity Training offers course on Information Security, running next on 25^th May 2010. For more information please visit our website, www.perpetuitytraining.com or contact our Training Co-ordinator on 0116 222 5550.

Tackling Knives and Serious Youth Violence Action Programme

The Home Office has announced that the Tackling Knives and Serious Youth Violence Action Programme (TKAP) is to be extended for another year with an extra £5m of funding. The third phase of the programme will operate in 52 areas which will undertake targeted action to reduce serious youth violence among 13-to-24-year-olds.

DCSF issue new guidance for schools on spotting gang involvement

The DCSF has issued new guidance for schools on how to spot signs that young people are involved with gangs. The guidance 'Safeguarding children and young people who may be affected by gang activity' aims to help professionals working with children and young people by highlighting signs to look out for and outlines what action professionals should take if they feel a child is at risk.

Influenza scenarios in 2010

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) published a risk assessment for pandemic and seasonal influenza outbreaks in Europe for 2010 and 2011. The ECDC concluded that there are no significant unrecognised uninfected populations worldwide that could be susceptible to the virus and cause a new wave of infection.  Also, the A/H1N1 virus has not mutated into a more virulent form.  

 

It is thought that the risk of another spring/summer pandemic wave in Europe is unlikely. Although the risk of pandemic and seasonal influenza outbreaks is not as great in 2010, CSBC continues to monitor H1N1 activity and its potential impact on business operations and travel.

Home Office release the Business Crime Scoping Exercise report

The Home Office has today released the Business Crime Scoping Exercise report. This is a methodological piece of work lead by Ipsos MORI to consider the scope and feasibility of a new survey to measure commercial victimisation. Perpetuity worked alongside Ipsos MORI on the review providing expertise in business crime and are credited in the report.

The full report is available via the Home Office RDS website.

Operation Vigilance in the news

Operation Vigilance is a new programme funded by the Home Office, aimed at supporting 35 areas to tackle serious property-related crimes. The Home Office Minister, Alan Campbell explains that,

‘Tightening the net around known offenders and helping addicts get the treatment they need removes the driving force behind crimes like robbery and burglary and helps to cut re-offending rates.’ (http://press.homeoffice.gov.uk/press-releases/minister-praises-drugs-programme.html).

The work carried out by outreach workers at the Merton adult crack service (MACS), has been praised by the Home Office as an example of success for the programme. They are targeting newly released prisoners and individuals who have dropped out, to get them back into treatment for substance misuse. This is to prevent further acquisitive crimes being committed to fund their addiction. The Home Office also reports that the number of prolific and priority offenders (PPO) being supervised in Merton has increased as the funding has enabled them to introduce the integrated offender management approach. They have also been able to pay for additional police officers.

Perpetuity is currently working with two other Operation Vigilance areas to support their work. Using an approach which combines a review of data and documentation with consultation with stakeholders and offenders, we will strengthen the understanding of serious acquisitive crime in those areas. The research will focus on the reasons these crimes are committed, what would serve to deter them, and how the stolen goods market operates in those areas.

For further details contact our Research Team on 0116 222 5559 or email prci@perpetuitygroup.com