Scottish cybercrime strategy published for consultation

A Cyber Resilience Strategy for Scotland: Safe, Secure and Prosperous Online sets out the government’s approach to online security and seeks to gather views on “what we can all do to become more informed and more resilient online”.

Police Scotland revealed earlier this year that demand for examinations of electronic devices had jumped 47 per cent in the past two years.

Deputy chief constable Iain Livingstone said at the time: “Nearly every crime now has some element of cyber attached to it. Everybody has mobile devices, computers, laptops.

“So if we are investigating online child exploitation or organised crime, or assaults or homicides, there is often a cyber element.”

Formally launching the new cyber resilience consultation, Deputy First Minister John Swinney (pictured) said: “Last year, we gave a commitment in Programme for Government to develop and bring forward a cyber-resilience strategy that will take a positive approach to developing cyber resilience in Scotland, for the benefit of our people and our economy.

“We want people to feel confident online and safely use the internet, where businesses can prosper, where our children are not exploited, and where online public services are resilient as well as simple to use.”

Mandy Haeburn-Little, director of the Scottish Business Resilience Centre, added: “All too often we hear of businesses feeling uncertain or lacking in confidence when it comes to understanding online security.

“I am delighted that the Scottish Government is taking a collaborative approach to tackle the increasing digital challenges facing our businesses, particularly small to medium enterprises – the lifeblood of the Scottish economy.”