WORCESTER-based IT security company Encription has joined forces with Market Link PR in a bid to beat cyber criminals at their own game.

Encription provides a range of services aimed at making IT systems secure from attacks by a growing number of illegal hackers who put organisations and businesses at risk by illegally penetrating their systems with malicious intent.

The company works on a regular basis with all kinds of organisations - including local government, building societies and solicitors, using its team of ethical hackers (all working to strict BS standards) to attempt to break into its clients' IT systems, using the same tools and techniques used by the illegal hackers.

By doing this they are able to highlight and fix weaknesses in systems, effectively preventing illegal hackers from gaining unauthorised access.

The company is also working with local businesses, with the knowledge and support of West Mercia police, to help them secure their websites from people illegally connecting to their wireless networks, a problem that has recently hit the headlines.

Tony McDowell, director of Encription, said: "Market Link PR is an ideal consultancy for us to work with as they quickly grasped what we are about as a company and we've seen impressive evidence of the results they've achieved for their other clients.

"We feel passionate about the work we do and with Market Link's help we will be able to make more companies aware of the need to protect their systems from the threat of cyber crime."

Steve Paddock, director of Market Link PR, said: "Within a short time of working with Encription we've discovered some interesting but shocking facts about the damage illegal hackers can do and how many organisations and businesses are becoming victims because they're not paying attention to IT security. We are delighted to work with Encription to help make potential targets aware of the risks they are taking and the solutions available to them and to have a positive impact on encription's growth as a business."