Projects providing practical help to support people tackle the
growing risks posed by online crime will share a £500,000 fund
aimed at ensuring a digitally secure and resilient Scotland.
Organisations including Scottish Union Learning and Community
Enterprise, will use the money to provide workshops aimed at
tackling scams and internet safety, deliver training to upskill
under-represented groups into careers within cyber security and
provide digital advice in different languages.
The projects will be targeted at specific groups, including
disabled people and those with specific learning needs, minority
ethnic groups, people living in areas of social deprivation or in
rural or remote communities and those for whom English is not
their first language.
Since 2019- 20 cyber crimes (crimes committed using the
internet) have risen with an estimated 14,890 cyber-crimes
recorded by Police Scotland in in 2022-23 almost twice the level
in 2019-20 (7,710). This £500,000 fund is part of £1.16 million
invested by the Scottish Government in 2023-24 to improve
preparedness to withstand, defend against, manage, and recover
quickly from cyber incidents.
Justice and Home Affairs Secretary said: “Cybercrime such as
fraud and data theft can have a devastating impact on people,
communities and businesses.
“The Scottish Government is committed to building cyber
resilience within all our communities and this funding will
enable many more people across the country keep themselves safe
and secure when going online by supporting them to gain practical
knowledge and skills to recognise and avoid cyber-attacks.
“We will also continue to work closely with Police Scotland and
the National Cyber Security Centre to ensure Scotland’s public
sector is resilient to cyber threats.“
