PCL Group, one of Aberdeen’s longest-established and leading providers of IT services, has made one of its most significant investments in its 25-year history, dedicating a cyber security service for SMEs.
Realising cyber security is an unknown for many organisations, the IT company has worked defiantly on designing a cyber security service that understands the needs of organisations that cannot afford to hire in-house expertise to manage, detect and respond to cyber threats.
The IT company, founded in 2000 by award-winning entrepreneur Jeanette Forbes, has made three new appointments, including a new IT director, to bring in advanced expertise into the cyber security space.
At the beginning of Cyber Security Awareness Month and with the latest UK Government statistics revealing that 60% of UK SMEs are facing multiple attacks and 30% have no cyber security protections in place, PCL Group has completed a transition into state-of-the art detection systems, training programmes, accreditations and a dedicated cyber security operations team.
Jeanette Forbes explained: “In today’s data-driven, digital world, for every M&S, Co-op and Jaguar Land Rover, there are thousands of SMEs who also fall victim to cyber-attacks every day. Cybersecurity is no longer optional - it’s vital.
“While this has been an executive priority for several years, the rapid growth of remote work, cloud computing, digital transformation and AI, are creating unprecedented security risks that companies, large and small, must mitigate against.
“Having been a trusted supplier of managed IT services for 25 years, we know and understand our customers’ IT infrastructure, and with this investment, we are making sure that resilience against cyber-attacks, data breaches and rapidly evolving digital risks are reinforced and understood.”
From left, Dr Jeanette Forbes OBE, CEO, with Stanley Ho, Cyber Security Lead, and Dylan Tas, Governance, Risk and Compliance Manager.
Adrian Dyer has joined PCL as IT Director to head up its expanded cyber security offering.
An experienced IT professional with over 20 years in the oil and gas industry, Adrian has held senior IT positions within Dubai Petroleum and Petrofac and was latterly general manager of Middle East-based IT consultancy, Antheos Group.
His expertise combines automation to reduce workload and maximise efficiency, whilst allowing for human led intelligence to build resilient cyber security solutions that match the expectations of international standards and regulations.
Adrian is joined at PCL Group by Dylan Tas, Governance, Risk and Compliance Manager and Stanley Ho, Cyber Security Lead.
Dylan is a recent graduate from the University of Aberdeen where he studied law, focusing on data protection, Artificial Intelligence regulation and cyber security, while Stanley is a Hong Kong national, having previously worked as a senior systems analyst at a leading technology company. He has recently moved to the Granite City with a wealth of experience in managing data risks and AI.
By strengthening its cyber security expertise and portfolio, PCL Group aims to provide clients with peace of mind while enabling them to focus on innovation, growth and customer success.
“Trust is at the core of every successful digital relationship,” added Jeanette. “Our clients rely on us not only to deliver reliable IT services but also to safeguard their most critical assets. With this investment, we are raising the bar for security and aiming to protect, consult and lead alongside the industries that we serve.”
From its humble beginnings at Jeanette’s dining room table in early 2000, PCL Group has grown into a multi-faceted IT company, serving six key business sectors globally.
Now situated in the heart of Aberdeen at its office in Golden Square, it continues to offer a full portfolio of services focused on tailored IT and security services including planning, project installation, support, maintenance, cyber security and website design.