A new cyber resilience action plan developed by the Scottish Government will enable private and third sector organisations to develop cyber security practices.

The Private and Third Sector Actions Plans on Cyber Resilience were developed by the Scottish Government, alongside the National Cyber Resilience Leaders’ Board (NCRLB), the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and a number of key private and third sector organisations.

Raising Awareness

This action plan will aim to increase awareness of current and future cyber threats and to promote good practice to defend against them. A strong focus on practical step will also enable smaller organisations to take greater steps in defending themselves.

Shoring up cyber defence isn’t the only benefit of the action plan, however. Half a million pounds will be available from Autumn to help organisations achieve the National Cyber Security Centre’s “Cyber Essentials” certification – which helps protect against some of the most common types of online-based cyber attacks.

David McNeill, Digital Director of the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, who is the lead third sector representative on the National Cyber Resilience Leaders’ Board says that initiatives such as these can help to develop more digitally confident businesses and organisations. He said:

“Third sector organisations are trusted to make the best use of funds and keep personal data secure, but face the same threats from cyber criminals as everyone else.

“SCVO are delighted to be taking part in the Cyber Catalyst Working Group, working with partners to support the implementation of the Action Plan and to help build a more digitally confident third sector in Scotland.”

Growing Threats

Deputy First Minister, John Swinney, believes that encouraging organisations to implement stringent cyber security practices will benefit the Scottish economy.

Growing threats from across the globe are forcing businesses, organisations and governments alike to consider how safe they are in a modern digital environment. He said: “Cyber threats are growing and it is vital, as part of our ambitions as a modern, digital nation, that our businesses and charities understand this. They must also be supported to take steps to protect themselves.

“No organisation, however large or small, is immune. Attacks are as real a risk to the small bakery or charity that relies on a database to operate effectively as they are to the multinational banking organisations in our financial districts.”

Swinney added that this action plan is but one of a number of ways in which Scotland can achieve its goal of becoming a world-leading nation in cyber resilience and digital innovation, stating: “These plans set out how we will work in partnership with some of Scotland’s leading businesses and charities to help tackle this threat and are an important steps towards our ambition to be a world-leading nation in cyber resilience.”