Abertay University hosted a cyber security event in which students demonstrated the threat of hacking.
Business representatives from across Scotland attended the breakfast event, Cyber Security and You, and were shown the ease of which hackers are able to mirror websites, take control of computers and record activity.
The importance of educating staff in internet usage was highlighted as the most effective method of preventing security breaches.
Speakers, who included Ethical Hacking students Niall Watson and Peter Cowman, as well as tutors Colin McLean and Dr Natalie Coull, emphasised no method was 100% effective.
Mr McLean said: “I remember the days when security was the realm of the IT staff, but not now.
“Anti-virus software will cut out the low hanging fruit but we need the awareness in there as well.
“Educating work forces to know not to click on certain links and to recognise phishing emails is the best form of mitigation.
“Even things like mobile phones can be hacked just as a computer can be and that’s something a lot of people don’t realise.
“There is a huge job market available for students studying this subject at Abertay with a shortfall of two million appropriately skilled workers, so it’s a growing industry.”
Keith Brown MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work said that businesses should work together to minimise risk.
He said: “We want to see people whether at home or at work benefiting from computer technology but also it’s just as important to learn how to protect ourselves from threats.
“Websites such as those provided by councils and the Government have provided opportunities and improved access but we also need to have a good standard of cyber security.
“Some of the demonstrations from the hacking students were quite scary and if organisations such as the NSA are saying all we can do is manage the risks, where does that leave the rest of us?
“We shouldn’t let these threats stop us from taking advantage of the opportunities online business provides however and I’d encourage businesses to sign up to the Cyber-security Information Sharing Partnership (CiSP) so that information can be shared instantly.”
