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CyberScotland Bulletins UpdatesThe CyberScotland Bulletin is designed to provide you with information about the latest threats, scams, news and updates covering cyber security and cyber resilience topics. We hope you continue to benefit from this resource and we ask that you circulate this information to your networks, adapting where you see fit. Please ensure you only take information from trusted sources.
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CyberScotland updates
News and updates from CyberScotland and our partner network
Register your CyberScotland Week event now
How are you marking CyberScotland Week 2025 (24 Feb – 2 Mar)? Don’t forget to register your CyberScotland Week event here on our dedicated portal.
NCSC launches 2024 Review Report
The NCSC has launched its 2024 Annual Review report, looking at highlights from its eight years in operation between 1 September 2023 and 31 August 2024. This report has revealed a 44% rise in serious incidents, with the agency’s head Richard Horne warning that the UK is engaged in a “contest for cyberspace” with those seeking to use our “technology dependence” to disrupt daily life.
New Head of Skills Academy announced for Cyber and Fraud Centre
A new Head of Skills Academy has been appointed at Cyber and Fraud Centre – Scotland as part of the organisation’s efforts to further develop on- and offline resilience training for organisations of all sizes. Katie O’Neill brings extensive experience in cybercrime training, having worked with Police Scotland in her previous role as Cyber and Digital Forensics Training Lead.
NCSC national cyber skills contest results
More than 14,500 girls across the UK registered to take part in the 2024/2025 CyberFirst Girls Competition, which is run by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), a part of GCHQ, with 13 teams claiming the top prize.
NCSC warns people to shop safe online
The NCSC is urging the nation’s shoppers to stay safe online, after revealing that they lost over £11.5m to fraudsters during last year’s festive period. This follows the launch of a nationwide campaign to encourage people to set-up two-step verification on their most important accounts.
NCSC launches updated briefing pack for Boards
The latest version of the NCSC’s ‘Cyber security briefing packs’ includes a case study featuring Sir Roly Keating, CEO of the British Library, who shares insights on the high-profile ransomware attack that targeted his organisation.
In other news…
Cyber security news from Scotland and the rest of the UK
UK launches cybersecurity plans amid Russian threats
At the NATO Cyber Defence Conference held at Lancaster House, London, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Pat McFadden, addressed the escalating cyber threats posed by Russia and other adversaries, announcing significant new initiatives to strengthen the UK and NATO’s defences.
UK government launches nuclear cybersecurity centre
The UK Nuclear Decommissioning Authority has launched the Group Cyberspace Collaboration Centre (GCCC), near the Sellafield nuclear facility in Cumbria, months after the plant was fined over vulnerabilities in its data systems.
Number of UK businesses likley to outsource cybersecurity operations is growing
The majority of UK businesses intend to outsource their cybersecurity operations to a third party, a new survey has found.
Confusion over NIS2
A large number of UK enterprises could face major regulatory penalties after admitting they are “not sure” if the new EU NIS2 Directive applies to their business, a new study has revealed.
UK businesses lose £44bn revenue in five years over cyber incidents
New research from Howden reveals UK businesses are being increasingly targeted by cyberattacks, with 52% reporting at least one incident in the past five years.
Major cyber incidents at Merseyside hospitals
On 25 November, the Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, located in North West England, declared a “major incident,” cancelling all outpatient appointments due to “cybersecurity reasons.” The Trust stated that the cyber security incident affected the entire organization, including Wirral Women and Children’s Hospital, Clatterbridge Hospital, and Arrowe Park Hospital.
By 4 December, the impact of the cyberattack had extended further. Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust confirmed that it, along with the Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital and the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, were also affected by the cyber security incident.
Financial cyber attacks dropped by +50% in 2024
The volume of cyber-attacks reported to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has fallen significantly in 2024, according to data obtained and analysed by Hack The Box via a Freedom of Information (FOI) request.
Abertay cyberQuarter hosting another global cyber challenge
For the third consecutive year, Abertay University’s cyberQuarter hosted the Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge, where students were tasked with leading decision making and crisis management in response to a major cyber incident.
The CyberScotland Bulletin is a monthly roundup of news and updates on cyber security and resilience with a particular focus on Scotland. Feel free to forward it to anyone in your network who might benefit from it.
Please ensure you only take information from trusted sources. The NCSC has a useful glossary of cyber terms you may wish to reference while you read the bulletin.
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