Cyber Security Essentials for Small Business Owners - Renfrewshire

SMEs are often the easiest target - and the cost of recovering from an attack can be devastating.

And now there’s a new layer of risk: criminals are using AI tools to create convincing fake voices, emails and even videos designed to trick business owners and their staff. These “deepfakes” and AI-powered scams are harder to spot than ever - but the good news is, with the right awareness, you can protect yourself.

This practical, jargon-free half-day workshop will show you how to protect your business, your customers and your reputation. You’ll leave with the knowledge and confidence to spot scams early, avoid costly mistakes, and put basic safeguards in place.

What we’ll cover (in plain English):

• Why small businesses are increasingly targeted - and how much it could really cost you if it happens.
• Simple ways to secure your laptops, phones and software without needing an IT team.
• How to stop your website becoming an open door for hackers.
• The latest scams on social media and email - plus new AI-powered threats like deepfakes and voice cloning.
• Practical steps to protect against fraudsters who exploit human trust.
• A plain-English introduction to “Cyber Essentials” - the government-backed certification designed for SMEs.

No jargon, no scare tactics - just practical advice you can apply straight away.