Ahead of DTX in Manchester Dan Giannasi, detective inspector at the North West Cyber Resilience Centre, talks about cyber resilience
It’s Manchester Tech Week this week, with the Digital Transformation Expo (DTX) and the Unified Communications Expo (UTX) running today and tomorrow at Manchester Central. Ahead of DTX, Dan Giannasi, Detective Inspector at the North West Cyber Resilience Centre, tells BusinessLive why he believes cyber resilience needs to be tackled at a local level.
Tell us about your role at the North West Cyber Resilience Centre
I’m a police officer seconded to the North West Cyber Resilience Centre. My background is in serious crime, and having led responses to cyberattacks against diverse organisations, I’ve seen firsthand the devastating human and financial impact. That’s why my role is so important, raising awareness and helping businesses defend themselves will reduce the risk and impact of cybercrime before it happens. At the CRC, I lead a dedicated team focused on building local partnerships and supporting small organisations, ensuring they have the tools to stay resilient.
Why do you believe cybersecurity needs to be tackled at a local level?
Cybersecurity can feel like an abstract, global threat, but the impact is always felt locally, on our high streets and in our regional supply chains. Working locally means we can build partnerships and engage with business communities across the region to reach a wide range of organisations and provide support. We can break down the ‘it won’t happen to me’ barrier by using regional examples to show that these threats aren’t just hitting big global companies, they are hitting businesses right here in the North West.
Can you tell us about your speaking session at DTX Manchester?
The panel discussion brings together a variety of perspectives on cybersecurity and focuses on sharing responsibility for cyber across an organisation. It’s crucial that cybersecurity is seen as a business enabler that is considered across all functions for it to be effective. We’ll be discussing how to make it a business priority despite increasing limitations on resources and funding. Hopefully the audience will learn about the importance of considering cyber security in all aspects of an organisation, and get actionable strategies to help them identify and respond to their biggest threats.
What are your top five tips for organisations today to help them improve their cyber resilience?
Master the basics – implement MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication) and use unique, complex passwords. These are the simplest but most effective barriers to entry.
Build a ‘no-blame’ culture – train your team to spot phishing, but more importantly, ensure they feel safe reporting a mistake. Speed of reporting is your best defense.
Update regularly – criminals target ‘known vulnerabilities.’ Updating software and hardware regularly closes the door before criminals can walk through it.
Secure your supply chain – you are only as secure as the weakest link in your network. Encourage, or require, good cyber hygiene from your suppliers and customers.
Aim for Cyber Essentials – this government-backed certification isn’t just a badge; it’s a framework that ensures you have the fundamental controls in place.
- Dan Giannasi is detective inspector at the North West Cyber Resilience Centre. He is set to speak on the DTX Main Stage on Thursday 30th April, taking part in a panel discussion around ‘Shared responsibility, singular success: Building a unified front against cyber risk’.








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