PENDLE MP Andrew Stephenson has backed a Government-supported project to promote cyber skills in schools.

Recently more than a fifth of all businesses have been victims of cyber crime and that over a third of the theft of information is now caused by hackers.

Mr Stephenson said: “Businesses in Pendle have been targeted by criminals online and the losses can be huge, whether it’s lost money or intellectual property.

“Cyber security is going to be a major issue for us all in the future, in terms of national security and even our personal details being used fraudulently. That is why it is so important to promote cyber skills in school now.

“I have written to all eligible schools in Pendle and would encourage them to take part in the Cyber Security Challenge.

“It could be someone at school in Pendle now with a flair for computers who goes on to make us all safer from cyber crime.”

The cost of cyber crime to the UK is currently estimated to be between £18 billion and £27 billion.

Amyas Morse, of the National Audit Office, warned: “Business, government and the public must constantly be alert to the level of risk if they are to succeed in detecting and resisting the threat of cyber attack.”