Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 17 December 2025
17 Dec 2025 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Cybercrime
I agree. That speaks to the need for us to ensure that Scotland continues to build its own cyber resilience. The elements that Audrey Nicoll laid out must be part of that.
The refreshed cyber resilient Scotland framework for 2025 to 2030 is an important step. Of course, that has to be matched by investment and practical support, particularly for smaller businesses, charities and community organisations, which might lack in-house expertise.
There is also a broader question about whether our legal frameworks are keeping pace with the realities of cybercrime, particularly in relation to stolen data. The harm that is caused by data breaches can be repeated and prolonged, affecting victims long after the initial attack.
Cybercrime sits at the intersection of criminal justice, economic security, national resilience and democratic trust. It is driven by organised crime, enabled by rapid technological change and, increasingly, exploited by hostile states that seek to undermine open societies. Addressing it requires more than reactive enforcement; it requires prevention, partnership, investment and public confidence. I agree with Liam McArthur that the area warrants further attention, which the Parliament should continue to give it.
16:22In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
The next item of business is a debate on cybercrime on behalf of the Criminal Justice Committee. I invite members who wish to speak in the debate to press th...
Audrey Nicoll (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP)
SNP
I am very pleased to open this afternoon’s debate on behalf of the Criminal Justice Committee. I will start with the usual thank you to committee clerks and ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I call the cabinet secretary, Angela Constance, to open on behalf of the Scottish Government. 15:37
The Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs (Angela Constance)
SNP
Today’s committee-led debate is an ideal opportunity to set out the current picture of cybercrime in Scotland and the actions that we are taking and need to ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I take this opportunity to remind all those members who are seeking to speak in the debate to check that they have pressed their request-to-speak buttons. 1...
Sharon Dowey (South Scotland) (Con)
Con
I welcome this opportunity to discuss cybercrime and the devastating impact that it can have on people and businesses. I thank the Criminal Justice Committee...
Katy Clark (West Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I am pleased to open on behalf of Scottish Labour. As a member of the Criminal Justice Committee, I thank my fellow committee members, the committee clerks a...
Maggie Chapman (North East Scotland) (Green)
Green
I am grateful to the Criminal Justice Committee and all who contributed to the inquiry that resulted in the timely and important report that we are discussin...
Audrey Nicoll
SNP
One issue that emerged during the committee’s scrutiny that has not yet been touched on, and which relates to resilience, is insurance. Businesses are perhap...
Maggie Chapman
Green
Absolutely. Not everybody will be able to afford insurance, nor will everybody even think that it is something that they need to have. The fact that its affo...
Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD)
LD
I join other speakers in thanking the members of the Criminal Justice Committee for allowing this debate to take place and, more important, for undertaking d...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
We now move to the open debate. I advise members that there is some time in hand. 16:14
Jamie Hepburn (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP)
SNP
I welcome the opportunity to speak in this debate on the very short report that the Criminal Justice Committee has published on cybercrime and cybersecurity ...
Jamie Hepburn
SNP
I see that the convener wants to intervene. She may be about to make this point, but I will make my point and then hear hers. We will have to consider the ...
Audrey Nicoll
SNP
On the point that Jamie Hepburn has eloquently set out about how organisations or individuals respond, one point that came out in committee was the narration...
Jamie Hepburn
SNP
I agree. That speaks to the need for us to ensure that Scotland continues to build its own cyber resilience. The elements that Audrey Nicoll laid out must be...
Davy Russell (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab)
Lab
I thank the Criminal Justice Committee for bringing the debate to the chamber. I am sure that I am not alone in worrying about the rise of cybercrime in Scot...
Rona Mackay (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP)
SNP
We are all potential victims of cybercrime—and the sad fact is that thousands of people in Scotland have been. Since 2019, the annual number of recorded cybe...
Fulton MacGregor (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP)
SNP
Like other members, I am delighted to speak in the debate as a member of the Criminal Justice Committee. Scotland thrives when it is confident, connected and...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
We move to closing speeches. 16:40
Maggie Chapman
Green
I am very grateful for the contributions that have been made during the debate. It is clear that there is a shared recognition across the chamber that cyberc...
Liam McArthur
LD
Maggie Chapman has made the point that the pathways for reporting cybercrime and cyberfraud must be as empathetic and supportive as they can be. As a number ...
Maggie Chapman
Green
I absolutely agree. That is why we need to take a holistic view and ensure that everybody who supports older people has conversations to reassure those peopl...
Pauline McNeill (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
I thank the clerks and the witnesses who gave evidence on which to draw up the report, which I found very interesting. Onlookers might not find the subject m...
Maurice Golden (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
From listening to today’s debate, one thing should be clear to us all: cybercrime is not a niche concern but a widespread problem that affects more and more ...
Audrey Nicoll
SNP
On the point that the member was making about Police Scotland and building capacity to respond to cybercrime, does the member agree that it is also important...
Maurice Golden
Con
I whole-heartedly agree with the member. It is not just about skills for Police Scotland and businesses; it concerns individual householders and consumers pr...
The Presiding Officer (Alison Johnstone)
NPA
I call Richard Leonard.
The Minister for Business and Employment (Richard Lochhead)
SNP
Do you mean a different Richard?
The Presiding Officer
NPA
My apologies—I meant Richard Lochhead. It was a test, minister. Laughter. Please go ahead. 16:59