The Police Digital Security Centre welcomes back Michelle Kradolfer

Michelle will be responsible for the PDSC SME certification schemes, as well as supporting the rest of the team in delivering the community outreach programme.

Michelle graduated from Middlesex University in December 2019, with a Master of Cyber crime and Digital Investigation (with Distinction). Her previous academic background includes a Master of Criminology and Bachelor of Socio-Legal Studies, which she completed at the University of Sydney in Australia.

As part of her Masters’ programme, Michelle did a work placement with PDSC.

In 2014 Michelle was an intern at INTERPOL, with the Research and Innovation team within the Cyber Innovation & Outreach Directorate. That internship sparked an interest in cyber crime and cyber security, and wishing to pursue a career in this field she moved to London a few years later.

In 2019, Michelle successfully completed a course on blockchain forensics by CipherTrace and was accredited as a CipherTrace Certified Examiner (CTCE). She additionally obtained a certificate for a foundation course in coding and web development.

As a Swiss national with a multicultural background, Michelle is able to speak several languages, which include German, Swiss-German, Spanish (mother tongue) and some French.

Michelle said: “My goal in choosing to work in this field has always been to use my skills and knowledge to help prevent people falling victim to cyber crime and to play a part in creating a safer digital environment for everyone. That is why I am very excited for the opportunity to join PDSC.

“I am really looking forward to working tirelessly with the team in delivering our objectives in helping organisations reduce their vulnerability to cyber crime”.

Simon Newman, Head of Cyber and Business Services for Police Crime Prevention Initiatives, said: “We are delighted to welcome Michelle back to the organisation. Having previously worked with us, as well as working as an intern at INTERPOL, she comes to us with a really good understanding of the issues affecting SMEs”.

The PDSC’s cyber crime priorities are:

• To establish the police-backed Digital Security Provider Certification Scheme to provide consumers with a list of trusted organisations to meet their individual security needs

• To enable organisations to demonstrate they have taken the necessary steps to improve their security posture through the PDSC’s Digitally Aware and Digitally Resilient Schemes, the first police-backed cyber security certification schemes which is delivered in collaboration with BSI (British Standards Institution), the UK’s national standards body

• To help organisations who lack support in dealing with the most common types of cyber crime by providing impartial advice and guidance through the PDSC’s ‘In The Community’ outreach programme

• To deliver a range of accredited Cyber Security Training Courses through the Police Crime Prevention Academy

Utilising an extensive network of partners, including local police forces, Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), Chambers of Commerce, Professional bodies and others, the PDSC connect with local communities to provide practical support on how organisations can improve security on site.

The PDSC also run Breakfast Seminars, Cyber Security Clinics and practical workshops to help organisations improve their security.

The PDSC is part of Police Crime Prevention Initiatives (PCPI), the police owned organisation that works on behalf of the Police Service to deliver a wide range of crime prevention and demand reduction initiatives across the UK.

Further information on the PDSC’s work can be found at www.policedsc.com