Digital Dawn: Cyber Security Policy in the Wake of Political Change

An NCC Group cyber policy report providing a strategic guide for political and business decision makers worldwide.

Our report emphasizes just how important it is for
incoming governments to stay focused on cyber
security and resilience amidst the many competing
priorities they will face…. It’s clear that governments taking
appropriate action to keep their citizens safe will be
critical to maintaining trust in public institutions and
unleashing the huge potential of the digital economy.

Mike Maddison
CEO at NCC Group

In this bumper election year, the report offers new and existing governments a deeper understanding of how their counterparts in other areas of the world are tackling similar cyber security issues.

The findings explore:

• The role of government in securing cyberspace
• The cyber security opportunities and challenges governments face in 2024
• NCC Group’s recommendations for the top five cyber priorities for governments

Drawing from NCC Group’s insights and new research, which included commissioning polling from J.L. Partners to examine public opinion on cyber security issues and conducting interviews with key people from across the global cyber policy ecosystem, the report urges policymakers to establish long-term digital resilience.

NCC Group identifies five key policy areas it believes new and existing governments must prioritize to achieve this in practice:

1. 21st-century cyber laws that define responsibilities, harmonise rules, and are underpinned with proper enforcement.

2. Digital safety nets for small and medium-sized businesses and organisations, embedding security in the digital products and services they rely on.

3. Fortifying government defences by investing in public sector cyber resilience, building trust in government services, and leading by example.

4. Forging a cyber resilient population – promoting cyber literacy, developing cyber professionals, and updating cyber laws.

5. Long-term, evidence-driven policymaking structures.

We are proud of NCC Group’s latest contribution to the cyber policy debate. Cyber security is a matter of national and global importance and we are passionate about ensuring that cross-party consensus does not lead to complacency in this bumper election year and beyond. We look forward to working with incoming governments in the UK, and worldwide, to implement ambitious but actionable policies that will take national, organisational and individual cyber security to the next level.

Kat Sommer
Group Head of Government Affairs & Analysts Relations, NCC Group
CBN Advisory Board

Some of our key takeaways from the report include

• Policy decision makers should prioritise cybersecurity policy, even if it isn’t a vote winner, as it’s a key enabler of resilience and economic growth.
• Cybersecurity policy making should be less siloed and greater dialogue across Government should be encouraged.
• Security needs to be built into supply chains to ensure organisations of all sizes and structures have built in resilience.
• Public private partnerships and discourse is paramount to build a future that is secure against malicious actors and nation states.