CYBER security is the theme of a free business networking initiative which kicks off today (Wednesday).

The threats of hacking and other computer attacks will be on the agenda when the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) in Gloucestershire team up with Vantage Point Business Village in Mitcheldean to launch a new mid-morning networking and business seminar.

The aim is to bring together business owners from across the Forest and nearby towns and villages to enjoy informal networking and hear about a key subject that can affect them day-to-day.

Organisers hope to hold meetings quarterly, and the first meeting will focus on the growing problem of cyber security and what firms can do to avoid being the victim of the biggest rising crime in business – hacking and other computer-related attacks.

The event, at the Vantage Point Business Village in Mitcheldean, feature three speakers on cyber security – Mark Godsland (cyber security centre manager from University of Gloucestershire), Todd Gifford (Optimising IT) and Eric Witheridge (Module IT).

We are very excited to work with Vantage Point on this new venture, said FSB Gloucestershire development manager Sam Holliday.

“We hope this mid-morning style of meeting will bring something new to the local networking scene and will help local businesses get to know each other better – and learn useful information about an important issue at the same time. We are delighted to be holding this event in the Forest of Dean at such an iconic business venue as Vantage Point.”

For more information, see the website www.fsb.org.uk or @fsb_policy on Twitter.