The Scottish Government will work collaboratively with Scottish Enterprise and key partners to ensure that Scotland is in a position to fully exploit the economic opportunities being created by an increasing demand for cyber security goods.

Last year, seven out of ten organisations in the UK suffered a cyberattack and as more high-profile hacks pepper the news awareness of the risk of being hacked is on the rise. In turn, this awareness is pushing the demand for better cyber security, more products and services.

It is hoped that this new plan, The Cyber Resilience Economic Opportunity Action Plan, will also stimulate innovative Scottish cyber security research to deliver world-leading cyber security services.

Recent market research predicts that the global cyber security market will be worth $248.26 billion by 2023. If Scotland hopes to secure a sizable portion of that market it will have to act now to lay the necessary foundations to achieve that goal.

Cyber Security Has The Potential to Contribute Massively to Digital Economy

Scottish Enterprise will receive just over £1 million to drive growth in the cyber security industry, including £370,000 for the creation of a cluster management organisation, £500,000 for a Cyber Essentials voucher scheme for small and medium-sized third and private sector organisations and £250,000 to stimulate cyber-specific innovation.

Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Economy and Fair Work, Derek Mackay said: “The Cyber Resilience Economic Opportunity Action Plan sets out the key practical steps the Scottish Government and key partners will take collectively to support the growth of Scotland’s cyber security firms.

“It aims to encourage the development of innovative cyber security research and deliver world-leading cyber security goods and services. As the cyber threat increases, demand for cyber security goods and service increases. There is an opportunity for Scotland’s cyber security businesses to reap the benefits of this growing demand.”

David Smith, Director of Technology, Engineering and Construction at Scottish Enterprise, said: “I’m delighted that through this plan we’re recognising the contribution that cyber security can make to our digital economy, and I’m looking forward to working with our partners to support the growth of the cyber security cluster in Scotland.”