Explore
The Explore pathway is for everyone working in health and social care, irrespective of role. This pathway introduces the fundamental concepts of cyber security.
The Explore Pathway
Step 1 - Introducing Cyber Security
| Watch |
Let's start by exploring what cyber security is. Although developed for councils, this short video (2m57s) provides a general overview of cyber security, explains some of the key cyber terms you might hear and looks at why cyber is so important in organisations: Link: What is cyber security? |
| Question |
| Why do you think it's important for health and social care staff to learn about cyber security? |
Step 2 - Cyber Security Jargon
| Task |
| Take some time to consider the terminology you are aware of in relation to cyber security (e.g. phishing, firewall, encryption). Note down any terms that you have heard but aren't sure what they mean. |
| Read |
Use this helpful glossary from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to look up any terminology you are not sure of. You may also want to check through the list in case there are other words or phrases that you'd like to know more about: Link: NCSC Glossary |
Step 3 - Common Cyber Attacks
| Questions |
|
| Watch |
In order to protect ourselves against cyber threats, it's important to understand how and when attacks might occur. This short video (4m9s) runs through some of the common types of cyber attack: |
| Questions |
|
Step 4 - Staying Safe Online
| Question |
| What do you currently do to stay safe online? Think about this from both a personal and professional perspective. |
| Read |
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is a UK government organisation responsible for providing advice, guidance and support to protect the UK’s critical systems from cyber threats. Have a look at their list of seven top tips for staying safe online: |
| Task |
| Choose one of the seven tips and click on it to find out how you can practically implement the advice. Follow the guidance provided to start protecting yourself online. |
| Task |
| At the bottom of the webpage you'll find a PDF poster available to download which lists the top tips. Consider how you can use the poster to share the NCSC's advice with your colleagues. |
Step 5 - Cyber Attack Impact
| Read |
Unfortunately, despite preventative measures, cyber attacks do still occur. Whilst they have a serious and significant impact, they also help us to learn how to avoid similar attacks in future. This BBC article describes a cyber attack on NHS Dumfries and Galloway that took place in March 2024: Link: Hackers threaten to publish huge cache of NHS Scotland data |
| Questions |
How do you think the patients whose data was leaked might have been impacted by this? What could this mean for how they interact with health and social care services going forwards? Consider how a similar attack could impact your own organisation or service. |
What Next?
You have now completed the Explore pathway.
Pathway Update Notifications
You can access this Pathways Update Notifications Form to register to receive email notifications when pathway content is updated or new resources are added.
Feedback
To share any comments or questions you have about the pathway please email nes.dew@nhs.scot. You can also let us know if any of the links aren’t working, or the resources aren’t available.
