A new cyber organisation set up to ‘streamline the flow information’ available to businesses to protect themselves from online harms has appointed its first chair.
Jude McCorry, chief executive of the Scottish Business Resilience Centre (SBRC), will lead the CyberScotland Partnership to ensure organisations are fully supported following attacks or attempted breaches and to make Scotland a more cyber resilient country.
She 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.”
She added: “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 cyber security 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.”
Earlier this year, the collaboration launched CyberScotland.com, a single online resource for individuals and organisations across the public, private, and third sectors. It offers information and support across a range of cyber security and resilience issues, as well as information on skills development for anyone seeking to start a career in cyber security.
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 cyber security.”
Terry A’Hearn, Chief Executive of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), whose own organisation came under attack, 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 co-ordination 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.”
CyberScotland.com is funded by the Scottish Government. The 10 participating lead organisations in the partnership are: Scottish Government (Cyber Resilience Unit); Police Scotland; Scottish Business Resilience Centre; Highlands and Islands Enterprise; Scottish Enterprise; Scotland IS; Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations; YoungScot; Skills Development Scotland; and Education Scotland. The UK National Cyber Security Centre serves as a technical advisor.
The national Steering Group consists of one senior executive from each partner organisation; the role of chairperson will rotate each year among the group’s members.