NHS Digital have updated their security awareness toolkit to include specialised support and advice for social care organisations.
The toolkit, named Keep I.T. Confidential, aims to improve staff knowledge on a variety of cyber security concerns such as, phishing, data sharing, unlocked screens and weak passwords.
The campaign was first launched in 2019 for clinicians in the health sector and has now been updated to include some of the challenges the social care sector faces.
NHS Digital’s Executive Director of Cyber Operations, Mike Fell, said: “Good security practices are our shared responsibility and being cyber aware can significantly reduce the chance of cyber events affecting people’s care.
“We know how busy staff are, but we encourage everyone to prioritise cyber hygiene as much as they can to protect the NHS and social care against vulnerabilities.
“Taking small, simple steps and considering security in your day-to-day work can make a huge difference and we hope this campaign can really drive that change.”
The materials are relevant across all types of adult social care and include:
- Screensavers
- Web banners
- Social media graphics
- Suggested copy for bulletins and newsletters
Michelle Corrigan, Programme Director, Better Security, Better Care, said: “The Better Security, Better Care programme welcomes the strong messages for social care providers and their staff in the Keep I.T. Confidential campaign. Protecting people’s data is really a safeguarding issue as we all store and share more and more information digitally.
“Our sector is making good progress, with increasing numbers of care providers demonstrating that they have good data and cyber security arrangements in place, by using the official Data Security and Protection Toolkit. But there is definitely room for improvement.
“The Keep I.T. Confidential campaign provides valuable, clear advice for care staff and we encourage everyone to share these messages widely.”
More information about the new cyber security resource is available here.
