SBRC launches digital hub for businesses ahead of Cop26 

A Scottish cybersecurity centre has launched a digital information hub to help businesses mitigate potential challenges posed by the upcoming climate change conference in Glasgow.

The Scottish Business Resilience Centre (SBCR) has teamed up with Police Scotland to deliver the new resource, which highlights useful information from partners including various trade organisations along with the Scottish Government.

Designed to keep organisations secure both physically and online, the hub will serve as a one-stop shop for businesses based in the city and other organisations affected by Cop26.

The two-week event will be biggest summit the UK has ever hosted, with around 30,000 attendees expected if it goes ahead as a fully physical event.

SBRC’s hub will give users access to a range of services and advice including the centre’s incident response line – which helps businesses who have experienced cybercrime, and ‘exercise in a box’ – a free workshop for businesses to practice their response to cyber attacks in a safe environment.

Businesses will also be able to explore a range of cybersecurity tips and best practices as well as advice on allieviating the effects of protests and counter-terrorism activities.

Jude McCorry, chief executive of the SBRC, said: “During this conference, the City of Glasgow will be focused on keeping the city safe. While it’s wonderful to see so many people planning to visit, we must also recognise that the increased focus on Glasgow can put its businesses at risk, especially as cyber attacks have been on the rise over the past year.  However, there are additional security measures that businesses can put in place.

“Our new digital hub is an opportunity for businesses to take a closer look at their security, with a particular emphasis on cybersecurity. Programmes and workshops such as Exercise in a Box, developed by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), give businesses a chance to act out their response to a security breach without risk to their business. Now is the time to test out security plans before people flock to the city.”

Assistant chief constable Bernard Higgins, Police Scotland’s gold commander for Cop26, said: “Police Scotland is pleased to support the Scottish Business Resilience Centre in providing important information to allow businesses to prepare and plan for Cop26. We are working with partners to deliver a safe and secure event while also ensuring that the communities of Scotland continue to receive the same high standard of service from policing that they have come to expect.

“Climate Change is a topic which is receiving significant media attention and ever-increasing numbers of protests around the world.  We will provide a proportionate policing response to any protests, balancing the needs and rights of those wishing to demonstrate or protest, against the needs of the wider community.

“Specialist resources, made up of Police Scotland officers and officers from other UK police forces, will be in place for the duration of the event to ensure the safety of everyone involved, including world leaders and heads of state, delegates, and the wider public within Scotland. Police Scotland officers and staff will continue to work in association with UK Government and other partners to support the delivery of external communication and engagement to ensure people and businesses are able to plan ahead for any potential disruption.”

To find out the latest information from the SBRC on Cop26, click here.