The Scottish Government has created a new resource which aims to help charities become more cyber secure
Hundreds of thousands of pounds are set to be invested to help the Scottish third sector to defend against cyber attacks.
The Scottish Government unveiled its third sector action plan on cyber resilience this week.
It sets out proposals for Scotland becoming a world-leader in cyber resilience, with the government set to work alongside leading third sector organisations.
The plan was presented alongside a similar one for the private sector and aims to increase awareness of cyber threats and to promote good practice to defend against them, with a strong focus on practical steps to support smaller organisations.
£500,000 will also be made available from the autumn to help both public and private organisations to achieve the National Cyber Security Centre’s Cyber Essentials certification, which helps protect against the most common forms of internet-borne cyber attacks.
A key action of the project is the establishment of cyber catalyst working groups which will lead on increasing awareness of cyber threats and spreading good practice to defend against them.
Deputy first minister John Swinney unveiled the scheme on Monday (26 June) and said it is vital that organisations understand the risks that cyber crime poses.
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.”
David McNeill, digital director of the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), is the lead third sector representative on the National Cyber Resilience Leaders’ Board.
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 is 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.”
