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Get ahead. Be cyber resilient.

CyberScotland Partnership is encouraging businesses and organisations across Scotland to take simple, practical steps to strengthen their cyber resilience and stay ahead of evolving threats.

Our Third Sector organisations and Business Asset Pack reinforces key messages – getting the basics right and raising cyber awareness across all staff. By focusing on everyday actions, organisations can build stronger defences and reduce the risk of cyber incidents.

Whether you’re a small business, large firm, charity or public sector organisation, cyber resilience doesn’t need to be complicated. Consistent, simple steps can make a significant difference. We encourage you to share this pack and revisit it throughout the year to help keep cyber security front of mind.    

Together, we can help organisations across Scotland boost their business, get ahead of competitors in terms of cyber resilience and stay secure.

Five simple ways to get ahead and be cyber resilient

Start with the basics

Strong cyber security starts with simple, consistent actions. Taking time to review your current protections, update processes and reinforce good habits creates a solid foundation for your organisation. Small steps, taken regularly, can prevent bigger issues later. 

Install updates. Protect. Stay secure

Outdated software and systems are one of the most common ways cyber criminals can gain access to an organisation. Installing updates as soon as they become available helps fix known vulnerabilities and keeps your organisation protected from malware. Regular updates are a simple but essential defence against cyber criminals.

Strong passwords. Strong passkeys. Strong defence

Passwords are a key line of defence against unauthorised access and protecting data. Encourage the use of strong, unique passwords and avoid reusing them across different platforms. Using three random words and enabling multi-factor authentication where possible helps protect your systems and data. 

Passkeys are an even more secure alternative to passwords, where available. You don’t need to remember them as they are created and managed safely by the software on your devices. They are also user-friendly. Before authorising use of the passkey, your device checks that it’s you by whatever means you already use to unlock that device, for example Face ID, fingerprint or PIN.

Every employee. Every device. Every day – all staff need to be cyber aware

Cyber security is a shared responsibility. Boards, directors and every member of staff play a role in protecting the organisation whether opening emails, accessing systems or using devices. Building awareness and confidence amongst all staff in a team helps reduce risk and strengthens overall organisational resilience. 

Secure every device

Laptops, smartphones and tablets all hold valuable information. Ensuring devices are protected with regular software and app updates, robust security settings and access controls helps prevent unauthorised use and opportunities for cyber criminals to gain remote access. Keeping every device secure is essential to protecting your organisation. Remember: despite its small size, your mobile phone holds a vast amount of personal and sensitive data, so it needs to be secure.

Cyber resilience is built through simple, consistent behaviours across your organisation. By reinforcing these everyday steps and sharing this guidance with your teams, you can reduce risk, improve security and stay ahead of cyber threats.

Boost your business. Get ahead. Be cyber resilient.

Additional Resources / For Further Reading: 

The following websites include additional advice and links to other trusted resources where you can find out more:

CyberScotland Partnership

Getting The Basics Right

Staff Training

Cyber Aware

Police Scotland – Cybercrime 
https://www.cyberalarm.police.uk

UK Government 

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/cyber-security-guidance-for-business

Cyber Governance Code of Practice – GOV.UK

National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) – advice for organisations of all sizes 

https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/cyberessentials/overview

https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/small-organisations-guide-to-cyber-security

https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/section/advice-guidance/small-medium-sized-organisations

https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/section/advice-guidance/large-organisations

https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/section/advice-guidance/self-employed-sole-traders

https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/phishing-scams

Passkeys: what you need to know | National Cyber Security Centre

Trading Standards Scotland  

Business Scams

British Business Bank 

https://www.british-business-bank.co.uk/business-guidance/guidance-articles/business-essentials/a-guide-to-protecting-your-smaller-business-from-cyber-attacks