Cyber Choices

Cyber Choices is a national initiative lead by the National Crime Agency and delivered by Cyber Choices teams within Regional Organised Crime Units and police cyber teams. At ERSOU, our Cyber Prevent officers co-ordinate the initiative in the Eastern Region.

The programme focuses on ‘pure’ or cyber dependent cyber crime, which are offences that can be committed only by using a computer, computer networks or other forms of information and communications technology. Examples are;

• Illegal hacking - gaining unauthorised access to a computer or computer network.
• Denial of Service attacks – stopping a computer, network or web site from working by overloading them with traffic, including use of booters and stressers against gamers. Also known as DoS or DDoS.
• Use of malware – making, supplying or obtaining, and subsequent use of, computer viruses, ransomware, remote access trojans or other malicious software.

Cyber Choices was created to help people avoid mistakes by enabling them to make informed choices and so use their cyber skills and interests in a legal and ethical way, which can lead to an interesting and rewarding career. It’s aims are to;

• Educate on the Computer Misuse Act 1990 and the potential consequences of offending.
• Encourage individuals to make good, informed choices about their use of cyber skills.
• Deter and/or divert individuals away from becoming involved in cyber crime.
• Promote legal and ethical cyber opportunities and careers

We aim to do so by engaging with educational establishments, partner agencies by attending schools, colleges, universities, Science Technology Engineering and Maths (STEM) fairs and a range of relevant events. Our offer includes;

• Cyber Choices delivery through lectures, workshops, activities, or assemblies.
• Awareness sessions, for example for partners agencies, teachers, safeguarding staff and parents.
• Access to resources to support Cyber Choices inputs & messaging by others.
• A referral option through which we can assist with safeguarding by providing an intervention and positive diversion for young people at risk of cyber offending.

More information on the programme along with some videos, leaflets and teaching resources can be found at www.cyberchoices.uk

To speak to an ERSOU Cyber Choices team member about any aspect of the initiative, please email Cyber Prevent.