Cybersecurity: The Cost Of Complacenecy

February 26, 2026
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Microsoft Manchester

About the event

Cyber threats don’t wait around – and neither should you.
Too many businesses only take security seriously after something’s gone wrong. The truth? Complacency costs more than protection ever will – from financial loss to reputational damage and operational chaos.

For decision-makers, the pressure is real. You’re balancing budgets, managing risk, and trying to keep the business running – all while cyber threats get smarter, faster, and harder to spot. A single breach can derail strategy, dent customer confidence, and tie up teams for months.

This session gives business leaders the clarity to act before it’s too late. No scaremongering – just practical insight into where the real risks lie, what complacency truly costs, and how to build protection that fits your business.

Who’s presenting?

Steve Pickering
CEO - String Systems

Tom Wright
CTO - String Systems

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What We’ll Cover

In this session, we’ll explore how the cyber threat landscape is evolving and what that means for leaders making strategic and financial decisions. You’ll hear real stories of businesses that paid the price for complacency and the hard-earned lessons every decision-maker should take from them. We’ll cover simple, practical steps to strengthen your defences, reduce the risk of costly downtime or data loss, and navigate compliance and regulation without getting tangled in bureaucracy. Discover how to demonstrate the value of cybersecurity to your board, customers, and insurers, turning protection into a real business advantage. Plus, see how SMEs can now access intelligent, enterprise-grade security once reserved for big budgets, and leave with clear, actionable insights to make confident, informed decisions that protect growth, reputation, and resilience.

🗓️ Agenda

10:00 – 10:15 | Welcome & Introduction
Meet the String team, settle in, and set the scene for a practical session focused on protecting your business from today’s evolving cyber threats.

10:15 – 10:50 | The Modern Threat Landscape
Explore real-world examples from UK businesses and understand the risks: from phishing to AI-driven attacks. Learn what lasting resilience looks like in practice.

10:50 – 11:30 | Practical Steps to Strengthen Your Security
Hands-on guidance on simple, effective measures to reduce risk, improve response times, and outsmart modern attackers.

11:30 – 11:45 | Morning Refreshments & Networking

11:45 – 12:30 | Advanced Protection for SMEs
See how small and medium businesses can now access intelligent, enterprise-grade protection – without the enterprise price tag or complexity.

12:30 – 13:45 | Compliance, Regulation & Proving Value
Understand what compliance really means, how to stay ahead, and how to demonstrate cybersecurity’s business value to your board, customers, and insurers.

13:45 – 14:00 | Live Q&A & Key Takeaways
Your questions answered by String’s experts, leaving you with clear, actionable steps to strengthen your business security immediately.