Cyber Security Award

Winner: National Police Chiefs Council

The Cyber Security Award is presented to an organisation which has developed effective technologies to protect against the threat of cyber terrorism.

The 2020 winner of the Cyber Security Award is the National Police Chiefs Council for their efforts to ensure that every police force in England and Wales have a dedicated cyber crime unit in place. Starting last year, police forces have been able to access £7 million worth of funding to build the cyber crime units - including recruiting specialist officers and staff to the units and investing in technology, equipment and training. Prior to the roll out of the force units by the National Police Chiefs Council, only 31 per cent of forces had a dedicated cyber capability. The move ensures that all forces will have specialist officers and staff in place to investigate cyber crime and ensure victims receive a consistent response and receive contact and prevention advice from police following a report.

The Cyber Threats Research Centre at Swansea University and the Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit were also shortlisted for the Cyber Security Award.