Scottish Government unveils cyber resilience action plan 

Scotland’s public sector will be better protected against cyber-attacks following the publication of a new action plan, the Government said in a statement. The ‘Public Sector Action Plan on Cyber Resilience‘ will encourage all public bodies to implement the same baseline standards of cyber-security in their organisations.

These include “active threat intelligence sharing, clear cyber-incident response protocols and appropriate independent assurance that critical protection against the most common forms of attack is in place”.

Ahead of today’s CBI cyber security conference, Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “I want Scotland to be a world-leading nation in cyber-resilience by 2020.

“The Scottish Government recently committed to developing a range of action plans to help meet this ambition, including in the key areas of learning and skills, economic opportunity, and public, private and third sector cyber resilience.

“Today marks the first of those plans being published. Our public sector action plan will encourage all public bodies, large or small, to achieve common standards of cyber-resilience.

“I want our public sector to lead by example on strengthening cyber-security, to help ensure Scotland is ready to deal with all emerging threats.”

Dr Keith Nicholson, joint chair of the National Cyber Resilience Leaders Board’s public sector steering group said: “One of the strengths of the Scottish public sector is the willingness to work together and share good practice. The Public Sector Action Plan on Cyber Resilience is the embodiment of that spirit.

“All public bodies can follow the action plan to achieve a common base level of cyber security resilience ensuring that Scotland’s public sector will be better protected against cyber-attacks to the benefit of both the organisation and the citizens of Scotland.”