GovWire

For cyber security we recommend candidates and political staff read:

1. Cyber Guidance for High-Risk Individuals - advice from the National Cyber Security Centre on how individuals can protect their accounts and devices.
2. Social Media Security Information for Candidates - guidance from social media platforms on how to secure your account and report incidents of online abuse.
3. CyberAware - guidance on how to stay secure online, including access to a free, tailored cyber action plan.
4. Social Media: How to Use it Safely - guidance on using privacy settings across social media platforms to manage your digital footprint. The spotting and reporting fake accounts section may be of particular interest.
5. Guidance for Individuals in Politics - cyber security guidance from the National Cyber Security Centre for staff members in political parties.

For protective security we recommend candidates and political staff read:

6. When it Goes too Far - Joint Police Guidance for Candidates in Elections (PDF, 470KB) - advice onrecognising and responding to intimidatory behaviour.

7. The Blue Book: A Guide to Personal Security - advice from the National Counter Terrorism Security Office for how to stay safe at home, at work, on-the move and online.

8. Think Before You Link (TBYL) - an app developed by the National Protective Security Authority to help users of social media and professional networking sites better identify the hallmarks of fake profiles used by state and other malicious actors.

9. My Digital Footprint guidance from the National Protective Security Authority on how individuals can be more mindful of their digital footprint

We recommend Returning Officers and local authority staff read:

1. Cyber Security Election Guidance for Local Authorities - advice on good cyber security practices to protect systems that support elections.
2. Guidance for Returning Officers - Electoral Commission guidance for Returning Officers split by countries of the United Kingdom, and type of election.
3. Election Security for Polling Stations and Counting Venues (PDF, 889KB) - guidance to assist Returning Officers develop a security plan to avoid major disruption to the electoral process.
4. Protective Security Guidance for Local Authorities state threats guidance from the National Protective Security. This can be accessed by Local Authority staff members only.

Other Useful Guidance:

1. Defending Democracy a collection of National Cyber Security Centre material which brings together expanded guidance to raise awareness of the cyber threats to democratic processes, institutions, and the people involved in them.
2. Phishing Attacks Defending your Organisation Advice from the National Cyber Security Centre on protecting your organisation from email phishing attacks.

General Guidance for Candidates to Stand for Election

• Local Authority mayoral elections in England
• Combined Authority mayoral elections in England
• Local Elections in England
• Parish council elections in England
• UK Parliamentary Elections
• By Elections
• Police Crime Commissioner Elections
• Greater London Authority Elections

Departmental co-owners

• Cabinet Office
• Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
• National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC)
• National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC)
• The Electoral Commission
• The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)
• College of Policing
• National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO)
• Counter Terrorism Policing
• National Protective Security Authority (NPSA)
• The UK National Authority for Counter-Eavesdropping (UKNACE)
• Home Office