Digital strategy for Scotland: sustainable digital public services - delivery plan 2025-2028

Glossary

Term / Definition

AI Register

The Scottish AI Register provides information on the Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems in use or in development within the Scottish public sector. Using the Register, you can get to know the basics of those AI systems, or examine them in more detail, based on your own interests.

Cybercrime-as-a-Service (CaaS)

A criminal business model where cybercriminals offer tools, infrastructure, and expertise for hire, enabling anyone—even with little technical skill—to launch cyberattacks.

Cyber Essentials Plus

Cyber Essentials is a Government-backed certification scheme that helps keep an organisation’s and customers’ data safe from cyber-attacks.

Cyber Essentials Plus is an expansion upon the “Cyber Essentials Verified Self-Assessment” which includes an audit of an organisations IT systems.

Cyber Resilience

Strong protection against online threats and attacks.

Development Consents

Approvals needed for construction or land use projects.

Digital Components

Software or technical systems created once and reused many times that help build better services, more joined up services that are quicker

Digital Licences

Online permits for things like fishing, building, or pyrotechnics.

Digital Mailbox

A secure inbox for receiving messages from government and public services.

Digital Maturity

How ready and capable an organisation is to use digital technology effectively.

Digital Spend Control

Tracking and managing how money is spent on digital projects.

Ethical AI Framework

Guidelines to make sure AI is used fairly and responsibly.

FinOps (Financial Operations)

Tools and practices that help organisations manage Cloud and digital spending wisely.

GitHub

A web-based platform for collaborative software development that uses Git for version control, allowing developers to store, manage, and track changes to their code.

HMG Cyber Assessment

The UK Government’s structured framework for evaluating and improving cyber security resilience across critical sectors.

Information Governance (IG)

The strategic framework that organizations use to manage, protect, and maximize the value of their information while minimizing risks and costs.

Internet of Things (IoT)

A network of physical objects—such as devices, vehicles, appliances, and sensors—that are embedded with software and connectivity, enabling them to collect, exchange, and act on data without requiring direct human intervention.

Interoperability

The ability of different systems to work together and share information safely.

LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging)

A remote sensing technology that uses laser pulses to measure distances and create precise 3D maps of objects, surfaces, and environments.

Low Earth Observation Satellite

A satellite that orbits in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), typically between 160 km and 2,000 km above Earth’s surface specifically designed to monitor and collect data about the planet.

Public Services App

An app that lets people access government services on their phone or computer.

Ransomware

A type of malicious software (malware) that blocks access to a victim’s files or systems—usually by encrypting them—and demands payment (a ransom) to restore access.

SC3 (Scottish Cyber Coordination Centre)

A national centre that co-ordinates work to help public services stay safe online.

ScotAccount

A secure digital ID that lets people access multiple public services in Scotland with one login.

ScotPayments

A system that helps people make and receive payments for public services in Scotland.