The number of cyber-attacks in Scotland has reached a record high, it has been revealed.
There were a total of 403 reported by households in 2020-21, compared to only 57 the previous year.
This represents an increase of more than 700% in reported cyber-attacks in the space of 12 months.
Of those 403, 331 were to gain unauthorised access to computers, while 71 were attacks on their operation.
The information was disclosed by the SNP Government in a written answer, following a question raised in Parliament by Scottish Conservative MSP Miles Briggs.
He insists SNP cuts to Police Scotland’s capital budget will hinder their efforts to combat this growing problem.
Scottish Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Miles Briggs MSP, said: “This shocking and unprecedented rise in cyber-attacks will leave many people feeling deeply concerned.
“Our police desperately need the resources to tackle this issue, but instead the SNP Government have given them a real-terms cut to their capital budget.
“That means our police are being left without the equipment, training and resources they need to tackle these attacks.
“It is essential that the public can go online without feeling under threat from hackers – particularly just now with concerns about global cyber-security in the wake of Russia’s appalling invasion of Ukraine.
“We know that Scottish public-sector organisations have been subject to cyber-attacks too, so this is a growing problem.
“The Scottish Conservatives called for a £35.6m increase in police capital spending in the last budget – but the SNP ignored us and cut it in real terms. We would ensure that our police are always fully funded and equipped for the future with our Local Policing Act.”