a hacker in the dark looking at computer screens

The Award was part of the Education and Learning category and in recognition of a cyber awareness campaign, product or initiative.

11 September 2020

3 min read

Cybercrime Cyber Security School of Criminology and Criminal Justice Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Centre for Cybercrime and Economic Crime

The University of Portsmouth Cybercrime Awareness Clinic, funded by Hampshire Constabulary, has won The Cyber Awareness Award at the National Cyber Awards 2020.

The National Cyber Awards are sponsored by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) to reward those who are committed to cyber innovation, cybercrime reduction and protecting the public online. The Cyber Awareness Award was part of the Education and Learning category and in recognition of a cyber awareness campaign, product or initiative.

The Clinic, run by staff from the University’s Institute of Criminal Justice Studies and student volunteers, was initially a two-year pilot project, supported by Hampshire Constabulary. It’s aim was to increase awareness in vulnerable community groups and, small and medium business, charities and public organisations. In order to do this, the Clinic team delivered educational workshops and seminars to a variety of stakeholders and community groups and undertook extensive research within schools and colleges, business and community groups, mainly with older adults.

This award reflects our team’s innovative and extensive work with many stakeholders in supporting the local community. Our impact has led to new, ambitious projects at a national and international level.

Dr Vasileios Karagiannopoulos, Director of the Cybercrime Awareness Clinic

Hampshire’s Assistant Chief Constable Ben Snuggs made the award nomination. He said: “We are delighted that our partners at the University of Portsmouth won this award. The findings and conclusions of this project have proved invaluable to informing Hampshire Constabulary’s Cyber Protect operations, including:

  • Visiting businesses on site to provide training;
  • Attending and collaborating in community events to engage the general public;
  • Working with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Neighbourhood Watch to create Cyber Champions who provide base level triage, advice and signposting for scheme members;
  • Creating a “Cyber Bobby” scheme in association with the Blue Lamp Trust Charity, to provide Face-to-Face cyber security advice to over 65s.
  • Engaging with the Cyber Ambassador scheme, attending events and using them to proliferate cyber security messages.

“The University of Portsmouth will continue to deliver and develop the clinic and has developed a transferable model that can be rolled out in other areas.”

We are delighted that our partners at the University of Portsmouth won this award. The findings and conclusions of this project have proved invaluable to informing Hampshire Constabulary’s Cyber Protect operations.

Ben Snuggs, Hampshire’s Assistant Chief Constable

The Cybercrime Awareness Clinic team has expanded and is setting up clinics across the country. It is currently involved in a variety of projects funded by the National Cyber Security Centre, the EU Commission Interreg 2 Seas and the Centre for Research and Evidence on Security Threats.

Dr Vasileios Karagiannopoulos, Director of the Cybercrime Awareness Clinic, said: “This award reflects our team’s innovative and extensive work with many stakeholders in supporting the local community. Our impact has led to new, ambitious projects at a national and international level.

“The Clinic is an intrinsic part of our cybercrime courses, offering practical experience and transferable skills to our undergraduate and master’s students.

“This award reinforces our willingness to expand our reach more widely and support a wider variety of vulnerable community groups and organisations that are in need of preventative advice and victim support.”