The Data Lab is delighted to announce that it has joined the CyberScotland Partnership (CSP), alongside CBI Scotland, further strengthening Scotland’s collaborative approach to building a safe, secure and resilient digital nation.
The Data Lab brings expertise in data and AI-driven innovation, skills development and industry and academic engagement, complementing the Partnership’s mission to raise cyber awareness, develop cyber talent and support Scotland’s growing cyber ecosystem. We help organisations and individuals navigate an increasingly complex digital landscape, exploring the opportunities and challenges presented by emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.
With 25 member organisations, the CyberScotland Partnership brings together leaders from across Scotland’s public, private and third sectors to deliver a more coordinated and consistent approach to cyber awareness and resilience. Through collaboration between industry, government, academia, charities and voluntary organisations, the Partnership works to raise cyber security awareness, strengthen cyber resilience and support collective action across Scotland.
Also joining the Partnership is CBI Scotland. As the voice of business in Scotland, CBI Scotland represents organisations across a wide range of sectors and champions strategies that enable businesses to grow, innovate and compete. Its membership network spans businesses of all sizes and sectors, making it a vital conduit for raising awareness of the importance of cyber resilience to business growth and productivity, and for ensuring that the priorities, challenges, and opportunities facing Scottish businesses are represented in national discussions on cyber resilience.
Heather Thomson, CEO at The Data Lab said:
“Cybersecurity is a core technical skill that enables individuals to understand, use and manage data and AI responsibly. With increasing digitalisation across all sectors, findings from our 2025 skills whitepaper reinforce that cybersecurity is set to be one of the most important data and AI skills over the next five years. However, it’s also a significant skills gap for many organisations. A staggering 90% of organisations have skills gaps within their security teams, according to the 2024 ISC2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study. We’re delighted to be joining the CyberScotland Partnership to help ensure that Scotland is a cyber-resilient nation and that people and organisations have the awareness and skills they need to stay safe digitally.”
Theresa Swayne, Chair of the CyberScotland Partnership said:
“I am doubly pleased to welcome The Data Lab and CBI Scotland to the Partnership. The Data Lab brings deep expertise in data innovation and AI, including its role as a partner in AI Scotland and its focus on developing the skills Scotland needs for a data-driven economy. CBI Scotland brings a strong business voice and insight into the opportunities and challenges facing organisations across sectors. Together, their contribution will strengthen our collective ability to help organisations across Scotland innovate confidently, build cyber resilience, stay secure and make the most of digital technologies safely and securely.”
Chris Kelly, Head of Policy for Scotland at CBI Scotland said:
“Businesses across Scotland are increasingly clear that cyber resilience is a condition of growth rather than an overhead, particularly as firms invest in digital and AI. The CyberScotland Partnership brings together the organisations that can reach those firms with consistent, trusted advice, and CBI Scotland is glad to add its voice, reach and convening power to that effort.”
Through this collaboration, The Data Lab, CBI Scotland and the CyberScotland Partnership will work together to encourage greater awareness of cyber security challenges and opportunities, support knowledge sharing and help organisations build the resilience needed to thrive in an increasingly digital world.
For more information on the CyberScotland Partnership, visit cyberscotland.com.