28/08/2026
** ETHICAL HACKERS VISIT ROTARY CLUB!! **
Members of The Rotary Club of Flint & Holywell were left "shell-shocked" after receiving a visit and talk from two representatives from Deeside based technology consultancy & digital systems company, "SHELLEX LTD"
The CEO of the Company, Arcana Corvus and her co director, Skylar Sutherland explained to a bemused audience that they were "ethical hackers" and the basis of their operations was to "hack" into client company's systems, to find the weaknesses and then to resolve the problems before dishonest hackers found the openings!
Arcana described how only last week, The Police Force's own computer systems had been hacked and this followed on from numerous well publicised other "victims including the Coop, The UK Electoral Commission and major international bodies including McDonalds, Shell, Phillips and even The US Government's own Office of Personnel Management!
Arcana described how hackers were now extremely sophisticated and professional in their approach, with some state run by countries such as Russia, China and North Korea. Indeed "ransom" sums obtained by North Korean Hackers now forms a major source of this State's income! In addition, there were thousands of private hackers, many based in country's such as India, Pakistan and Nigeria who are stealing billions from large multinational companies to small private individuals. Other groups hack to gain information about competitor companies, whilst others are amazingly young but very sophisticated. Kids, some in their early teens, hack, simply 'because they can" but their actions can cause enormous problems
Rotarians could be seen slumping further into their seats at the prospect of their ISA's and pension funds disappearing into the grasping hands of one of these hackers!
Arcana used the analogy of a huge state of the art Apartment Block, protected by the latest security systems, but where somebody has left a small back door unlocked. It is her company's job to use the same skills as the hackers to find these open doors and shut them and also to advise improvements to existing security systems.
Former Rotarian President Andy Orhan on behalf of the Rotary Club expressed his appreciation to Arcana and Skylar whose question and answer session extended well into the late evening. He mentioned that only the previous week a fellow Rotarian's email account had been hacked resulting in many members receiving requests for money!
On bringing the meeting to a close, Club President David Prothero added his appreciation for the time and information given by the guest speakers and pointed out to members and the many guests in attendance, that this most interesting talk was just one of the many benefits of membership of Rotary International.
PHOTOGRAPH LEFT TO RIGHT:
David Prothero Club President. Arcana Corvus & Skylar Sutherland (Shellhex Ltd)
Paul Islip Club Secretary