Legislative responses to an epidemic in cyber-crime in Scotland are likely to focus on national interests with a growing recognition that critical national infrastructure is particularly vulnerable to attack.

According to Police Scotland, Scotland is facing a fraud ‘epidemic’, as figures reveal more than four in five cases are going unsolved.

Between 2014-15 and 2023-24, the number of frauds recorded by Police Scotland soared by 140%. While the number of crimes being recorded has surged, the percentage being solved has collapsed.

Police Scotland has said much of the rise in fraud is related to cyber-crime, which has skyrocketed in recent years. According to the force, 59% of fraud crimes last year were online – a three-fold increase since 2019.

Police said that for 49% of the cyber fraud records it examined; the location of the perpetrator was unknown. Another 40% were suspected or confirmed to be outside Scotland while 11% were suspected or confirmed to reside within Scotland.

Holmes Mackillop director and Head of Corporate Ralph Riddiough said that cybersecurity has been an issue rising up board meeting agendas for several years, at a pace matched by the increases in insurance premiums for cyber insurance, reflecting an ever-increasing risk profile. 

“In 2025 we expect to see ransomware as a service gaining ground, as cybercriminals sell malware to unsuspecting businesses,” he said. 

“Accordingly, we expect to see responsibility for cyber security moving out of IT departments and outsourced to trusted consultants.”

Riddiough said there is growing recognition that critical national infrastructure is particularly vulnerable to attack and so investment will need to increase in areas such as transport, telecoms, and data centres. 

“Cybercrime does not respect borders and therefore legislative responses are likely to focus on national interests – ‘country over collaboration’,” he said.

ENDS

For further information please contact on Ralph Riddiough on tel 0141 226 4942