This guide will help small and medium-sized adult social care providers to reduce the risk and impact of a cyber incident, respond if one is taking place, and recover effectively after an incident.
It is aimed primarily at the person with lead responsibility for data protection. Every care service should have a data security and protection lead.
Digital technology and better access to data can improve people’s well-being and help tackle financial and workforce pressures in social care. However, the increased use of technology in social care has brought new risks as well as many benefits.
The name cyber security itself can be off-putting, even a little scary. The words seem to imply it is only for specially qualified, very technical professionals and not for others because it is just too complicated. This is not the case!
The National Cyber Security Centre puts it well:
Cyber security is about “protecting the devices we all use (smartphones, laptops, tablets and computers), and the services we access – both online and at work – from theft or damage”.
Good cyber security consists of taking action to reduce the risk of cyber attacks and safeguard data. This is vital for ensuring the quality and safety of care and support.
Get a quick overview of the impact of a cyber incident on care providers – watch our video.
