NHS Digital expands its online cybersecurity awareness toolkit

New information packs and resources have been made available on the NHS Digital website to help NHS and social care organisations run their own cybersecurity awareness campaigns.

The new resources are part of the existing Keep I.T. Confidential online cybersecurity awareness toolkit.

Launched by the NHS Digital Data Security Centre, the free resources will support NHS organisations to run their own awareness campaigns in a way that suits them and at a time that works for them.

The toolkit includes a numbers of assets to support NHS staff in being cyber aware. The latest additions to the toolkit include: screensavers, digital banners, sticky notes, social media graphics for Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter and an animation.

The aim is to help improve staff knowledge and understanding on cybersecurity concerns. This may include activities and incidences such as phishing, unauthorised data sharing, unlocked screens and weak passwords.

Mike Fell, executive director of cyber operations at NHS Digital, 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 reducing security risks 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 that these resources can really play a part in helping to drive that change.”

There are two sets of campaign materials available. One is aimed at staff based within clinical settings, the other is for those who work in the adult social care sector.

Last June NHS Digital updated its Keep I.T. Confidential campaign to help social care organisations improve the security culture within their care settings.