A group of 10 organisations has appointed Jude McCorry to chair its CyberScotland Steering Group and help provide additional information around cybersecurity.

The CyberScotland Partnership, which includes the Scottish Government and Police Scotland, was formed earlier in 2021 to help combat Scottish cybercrime.

In this additional role, the partners say McCrorry will work to “streamline the flow of information available around cybersecurity” to ensure that organisations are “fully supported” following any attack or attempted breach.

Commenting on the appointment, McCrorry said: “Over the past year, we’ve all seen the importance of building up our cyber defences.

“The Scottish Government’s Strategic Framework for a Cyber Resilient Scotland sets out what we need to do to make Scotland secure – but there is a plethora of information out there and, at the SBRC, we’ve witnessed confusion around where to get the right support. As chair, I will work to clarify this.”

Earlier this year, the collaboration launched CyberScotland.com, an online resource for individuals and organisations across the public, private, and third sectors. The site offers information and support across a range of cybersecurity and resilience issues, as well as information on skills development for anyone seeking to start a career in cybersecurity.

McCrorry continued: “The CyberScotland.com website is a vital tool in our armoury to support organisations. We are committed to ensuring that everyone can access accurate guidance on cybersecurity and resilience.

“The site builds on the community spirit so evident in Scotland: sharing information and emerging stronger in the end. In doing so, we will reinforce Scotland’s reputation as a safe place to do business online.”

The website is funded by the Scottish Government, with the UK National Cyber Security Centre serving as a technical advisor. The 10 participating lead organisations in the partnership are:

• ScotlandIS
• YoungScot
• Police Scotland
• Scottish Business Resilience Centre
• Highlands and Islands Enterprise
• Scottish Enterprise
• Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations
• Skills Development Scotland
• Education Scotland.
• Scottish Government (Cyber Resilience Unit)

Lindy Cameron, CEO of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) said: “We are pleased to see the Scottish Government’s ongoing commitment to cyber resilience.

“CyberScotland is the next bold step in defending Scotland against cyber attacks – in a collaborative and coordinated way.

“The NCSC looks forward to supporting in our role as the UK’s national technical authority for cybersecurity.”

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Terry A’Hearn, Chief Executive of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), added: “The serious and significant ransomware against SEPA on Christmas Eve and subsequent attacks against University of the Highlands and Islands and Glasgow-based Aspire Housing are very visual demonstrations of the potential impacts of cyber-crime on public, private or voluntary sector organisations.

“Sadly cyber-crime is an increasing challenge which is why at SEPA we’re shining a light and speaking openly about internationally orchestrated cyber-crime, risk, response, recovery and in time, we’ll share our learnings widely so that we and all others with an interest can benefit from our experience.

“One of the most important learnings to date has been the support and coordination we’ve received from the Scottish Government, Police Scotland, Scottish Business Resilience Centre and the National Cyber Security Centre in response to the attack.

“The CyberScotland Partnership is a vital further step in ensuring Scotland stands up and remains resilient to cyber-crime.”