Category Archives: Scotland

Business, Government, Politics, Scotland, Society

Digital Economy: Many small firms not able to cope with cyber attack

SCOTLAND

ONE in five businesses in Scotland is unprepared for dealing with a cyber-attack, raising fears that the economy is at risk unless action is taken.

A Scottish Government survey of more than 3,000 firms has revealed 19 per cent of them are “not equipped” or “poorly equipped” for dealing with an attack.

The research indicates that the private sector is at risk if hackers deploy viruses to disrupt the Scottish economy, which could also threaten the personal information of firms’ customers.

. See also Digital interfacing must be embraced by public sector

The survey comes just months after a malware attack wreaked havoc on NHS Scotland as hackers deployed a virus that sealed off vitally important files and demanded payment to unlock them.

The findings have sparked calls for more help from the Scottish Government to ensure firms are better prepared to deal with such incidents.

In 2015, the Scottish Government set a target for Scotland to become “a world leading nation in cyber resilience” by 2020. The UK Government has previously blamed Russia for major cyber attacks and the growing tensions between the two countries have increased fears of another major strike.

Separate research found a quarter of firms are struggling to grow because of the threat of a cyber-attack.

A spokesperson for the Federation of Small Business in Scotland, said: “We know there is a growing digital threat out there for Scottish firms and that is why the FSB offers services to members on this and have made the case to government north and south of the Border for extra help for small businesses.

“Like traditional crime, firms need to keep themselves safe and take sensible precautions. There have been high-profile cases where crooks have got the better of businesses and firms large and small need to protect against that threat.”

The Scottish Government surveyed 3,258 firms as part of a Digital Economy report. It asked them to what extent they felt equipped to protect against and deal with cyber-security threats.

Nine per cent said they were “not equipped at all” to deal with a cyber-attack and 10 per cent were “poorly equipped”. A further 47 per cent described themselves as “somewhat equipped”, while only 30 per cent rated themselves as “fully equipped”.

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Government, Policing, Scotland

Staffing crisis in Police Scotland as hundreds quit crisis-hit force

POLICE SCOTLAND

HUNDREDS of probationary police officers have quit Police Scotland less than three years after signing up. Growing fears over plummeting morale in the crisis-hit force amidst several investigations into claims of bullying lays bare the huge task now facing police chiefs.

According to newly released figures, 269 have resigned since 2013, with more than 130 leaving within 12 months of joining the service. The statistics, released under freedom of information legislation, suggests soaring stress levels and a serious issue with morale.

This latest set of data comes just weeks after Chief Constable Phil Gormley, who faced several investigations into bullying claims which he denied, quit the force. Several senior officers are still suspended over allegations of bullying, intimidation and wrongdoing.

Figures obtained under FOI show that 139 probationers left in their first year, 89 resigned before completing two years and 41 quit within three years.

Officers complete their probation after two years, but this can be extended to three years if they take agreed time off – or fail to satisfactorily complete assessments.

Some politicians argue that officers and staff have paid the price for the SNP’s botched centralisation of the single force. They say this is one reason why we need an independent and expert review of policing.

While officials could not reveal why probationers had left, it is understood the reasons include performance, personal circumstances, failing to meet standards on fitness and health, or after deciding that policing was not the career for them.

There were claims in Scotland last year that a policewoman had quit the force after three years “in her dream job” because she was “physically and emotionally exhausted” and close to a “nervous breakdown”. It was said the young officer had to deal with “relentless ten-hour shifts and never-ending paperwork.”

Other officers who have been in touch with the Scottish Police Federation, the force’s governing body, have revealed there are serious safety concerns and stress levels are “through the roof”.

Police Scotland has recently introduced Your Wellbeing Matters, with more than 170 wellbeing champions now available in divisions across the country. This is being developed to provide a full range of support including specialist, confidential guidance, advice and other practical measures.

– Nearly 1,500 applicants fail fitness test

A TOTAL of 1,480 people who applied to become police officers in Scotland in the past three years have been rejected after failing initial fitness tests.

In the financial year 2016-17 alone, 4,489 took the Police Scotland fitness assessment and 686 were rejected.

The figures, part of the FOI request, show that in the period from 2014-15 to 2016-17, 14 per cent of would-be police officers failed to meet the standard.

A senior police officer from the force’s training department said: “The testing of fitness is carried out to ensure potential and probationary officers are fit to undertake the role of constable. Where applicants fail to achieve the required standard, they may re-apply following a period of time.”

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Arts, History, Poland, Scotland, Second World War

Scotland: Tribute to Polish war hero

EDINBURGH

This is how the memorial to General Stanislaw Maczek will look. It will be located on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile and in close-proximity to the Stone of Remembrance.

WINSTON CHURCHILL appointed him to protect Scotland’s east coast from invasion.

Now Polish war hero General Stanislaw Maczek is set to get a fitting memorial on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, where a permanent home for it has been found.

He fought tirelessly in the Second World War, playing a key role in the Battle of Normandy, and helping to liberate parts of France, Belgium and Holland from German forces.

But when the war ended Poland was absorbed by the Soviet Union as part of an Allied agreement, and the ex-commander of the 1st Polish Armoured Division was unable to return to his birthplace.

Instead, he made Edinburgh his home and after being refused a war pension, took a job as a barman at a city hotel.

Campaigners have been pushing for a permanent memorial to him since 1994, when he died aged 102. Now, they have a site for a life-sized bronze statue of him outside City of Edinburgh Council Chambers.

The General Stanislaw Maczek Memorial Trust has raised £50,000 towards the project, but it needs a further £35,000.

Trust spokesperson Katie Fraser, whose father the late Lord Fraser of Carmyllie launched the project, said: “We have been so grateful to all those who have supported this project thus far. In recognition of that support, we want to ensure that all funds go directly to the memorial and also wish to see it established during the lifetime of some of those men to whom it is intended to honour.

“We are very pleased to announce that the memorial will be on the Royal Mile at the heart of our capital city.

“Located within a few yards of the Stone of Remembrance, where wreath-laying takes place every November, we think the setting is not only appropriate by suitably prestigious.”

Lord Provost Frank Ross said: “We are delighted this fitting tribute to General Maczek and his men is to be placed in such close-proximity to the war memorial at the City Chambers.

“Many people will pass by and have the opportunity to reflect on the general’s heroics and the many other war heroes who risked their lives.”

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