The first [Scottish Cyber Awards](http://www.sbcc.org.uk/pages/3812/1/Scottish_Cyber_Awards.html) will take place on Wednesday 16 November at the Waldorf Astoria in Edinburgh. Set up to recognise Scotland’s commitment towards cyber security excellence, the awards are timed to coincide with the one year anniversary of the launch of the Scottish Government’s [Cyber Resilience strategy](http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/11/2023). With cybercrime infiltrating all areas of life, a robust attitude towards cyber security is essential to protect both businesses and individuals. A 2011 [Cabinet Office report](https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/60942/THE-COST-OF-CYBER-CRIME-SUMMARY-FINAL.pdf) estimated the cost of cybercrime to the UK economy to be approximately £27bn per annum, including a £3.1bn per annum loss to UK citizens. The figure in 2016 is likely to be much higher. While business are most likely to be affected by cybercrime, individuals are also very vulnerable, especially to identity theft and online scams. The internet is a wonderful and life changing resource that should be open to everyone; it’s essential that those new to the online world are taught how to protect themselves against potential threats. **If your organisation is working hard to get people online whilst introducing them to internet security and how to stay safe****,** **then apply to have your good work recognised with a National Cyber Award.** The [Cyber Resilient Community Impact Award](http://www.sbrcentre.co.uk/images/site_images/23398_Cyber__Resilient_Community_Impact_Award_v2.pdf) may be of particular interest to those groups working within a community to raise awareness of cybercrime and build greater resilience to it. For more information on the awards and how to apply [click here](http://www.sbcc.org.uk/pages/3812/1/Scottish_Cyber_Awards.html). Finally, if you’re interested in finding out about cybercrime from the perspective of someone who perpetrated it, [How to Ruin Someone’s Life from the Comfort of your Own Beanbag](http://traverse.co.uk/whats-on/event-detail/892/breakfast-plays-tech-will-tear-us-apart-\(\).aspx) (one of Traverse Theatre’s series of Edinburgh Festival breakfast plays) has been co-developed by a convicted hacker and explores the online subculture dedicated to ‘life ruining’.

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## About SCVO

SCVO (Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations) is the national membership organisation for Scotland's voluntary sector.

Our role is to champion the role of voluntary organisations in Scotland and to support them to do work that has a positive impact.

SCVO supports members and the wider voluntary sector with all aspects of setting up and running a voluntary organisation. SCVO represents the needs and concerns of the voluntary sector to the Scottish government in Holyrood and UK government and Westminster. Through our learning and events programme SCVO offers training and development opportunities to the sector.

Members access an extensive membership benefits package including specialist, in-depth, 1-to-1 guidance from our Information Services team and from professional service partners.

Access to exclusive membership networks (including comms, employers, governance and policy) supports members to grow their connections, stay up to date, exchange ideas and views with peers, and learn through tailored, learning opportunities.

SCVO members enjoy free access to Funding Scotland Premium to stay on top of funding opportunities to support their organisation’s financial resilience.

Discounts and savings savings on SCVO products and services (including our HR service, managed IT support, payroll service and events and training) and partner offers provide members with support to allow them to focus on delivering their organisation’s goals. Further SCVO products and services include [extensive digital support](https://scvo.scot/support/digital), a climate action resource [Growing Climate Confidence](https://climateconfident.scot), a voluntary sector publication [Third Force News](https://tfn.scot) and a voluntary sector jobs and recruitment service [Goodmoves](https://goodmoves.org).

For more information on SCVO membership, visit [SCVO membership](https://scvo.scot/membership)