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Delivering
for Scotland

Cyber security

The UK Government is making the UK one of the safest places to be online. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) provides expertise and support for citizens, businesses and government to stay secure in the digital world.

Securing the UK in cyberspace

Cyber security is as important as physical security, with everyone potentially vulnerable to cyber criminals. The Ministry of Defence plays a critical role in the UK’s cyber security ecosystem, working alongside other government departments to protect our national security.

The Strategic Defence Review 2025 established a new CyberEM Command within Strategic Command to coordinate Defence’s cyber security efforts. This Command brings coherence to Defence’s capabilities in cyberspace and the electromagnetic spectrum, integrating them with the broader national approach led by the NCSC.

The National Cyber Force, established in 2020, delivers offensive cyber operations in support of Defence and other national security priorities. Meanwhile, Defence Digital works to strengthen critical defence systems against cyber-attack through robust governance, educating personnel, and maintaining strong cyber resilience.

Protecting yourself online

Cyber Aware promotes six practical steps to help protect you from the majority of online crime:

  1.  Use a strong and separate password for your email
  2. Create strong passwords using three random words
  3. Save your passwords in your browser or password manager
  4. Turn on two-step authentication
  5. Install the latest software and app updates
  6. Backup your data regularly

Support for organisations

Businesses and organisations can use free tools like the Cyber Action Plan to receive tailored advice based on their current IT practices. The government’s ‘Check your cyber security’ service performs simple online checks to identify common vulnerabilities without needing to install software.

The NCSC provides specific guidance for individuals, businesses of all sizes, the public sector, and cyber security professionals. Together, these measures help make the UK one of the most secure places to live and work online, protecting our national interests against increasingly sophisticated threats.