The CyberScotland Partnership has added CBI Scotland and The Data Lab as its newest partners as it looks to strengthen collaboration around cyber resilience, digital skills and emerging technologies across Scotland.

The additions bring the Partnership to 25 member organisations spanning the public, private and third sectors, with the group working to improve cyber security awareness, strengthen resilience and support coordinated action across Scotland.

CBI Scotland joins the Partnership as the representative body for businesses across a range of sectors, bringing a focus on areas including skills, digital connectivity, innovation, economic competitiveness and workforce development.

Its involvement is expected to strengthen the Partnership’s engagement with Scotland’s business community and help ensure the challenges and priorities facing companies are represented in wider discussions around cyber resilience.

The Data Lab, meanwhile, will bring expertise in data, artificial intelligence, skills development and collaboration between industry and academia.

Its involvement will focus partly on helping organisations navigate the opportunities and risks associated with emerging technologies such as AI, as well as supporting the development of cyber and digital skills.

Theresa Swayne, Chair of the CyberScotland Partnership, said: “I am doubly pleased to welcome The Data Lab and CBI Scotland to the Partnership. The Data Lab brings deep expertise in data innovation and AI, including its role as a partner in AI Scotland and its focus on developing the skills Scotland needs for a data-driven economy. CBI Scotland brings a strong business voice and insight into the opportunities and challenges facing organisations across sectors.

“Together, their contribution will strengthen our collective ability to help organisations across Scotland innovate confidently, build cyber resilience, stay secure and make the most of digital technologies safely and securely.”

The Partnership brings together organisations from industry, government, academia, charities and the voluntary sector, with the aim of providing a more coordinated and consistent approach to cyber awareness and resilience.

Chris Kelly, Head of Policy for Scotland at CBI Scotland, said: “Businesses across Scotland are increasingly clear that cyber resilience is a condition of growth rather than an overhead, particularly as firms invest in digital and AI. The CyberScotland Partnership brings together the organisations that can reach those firms with consistent, trusted advice, and CBI Scotland is glad to add its voice, reach and convening power to that effort.”

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The Data Lab said cyber security skills were becoming increasingly important as organisations adopt more data and AI technologies.

Its 2025 skills whitepaper identified cyber security as an area expected to become one of the most important data and AI skills over the next five years, while the organisation also highlighted findings from the 2024 ISC2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study showing that 90% of organisations have skills gaps within their security teams.

Heather Thomson, CEO at The Data Lab, said: “Cybersecurity is a core technical skill that enables individuals to understand, use and manage data and AI responsibly. With increasing digitalisation across all sectors, findings from our 2025 skills whitepaper reinforce that cybersecurity is set to be one of the most important data and AI skills over the next five years.

“However, it’s also a significant skills gap for many organisations. A staggering 90% of organisations have skills gaps within their security teams, according to the 2024 ISC2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study.

“We’re delighted to be joining the CyberScotland Partnership to help make sure that Scotland is a cyber-resilient nation, and that people and organisations have the awareness and skills they need to stay safe digitally.”

Through the collaboration, CBI Scotland, The Data Lab and the wider CyberScotland Partnership will work to increase awareness of cyber security risks and opportunities, support knowledge sharing and help organisations build resilience as digital technologies become increasingly embedded across the economy.