Candidate Security Guidance Collection
Source: gov.uk (2025-03-03)

This collection of guidance sets out what candidates need to know and do about their security and signposts to more detailed guidance.

I am a candidate, how can I improve my security?

This section sets out what candidates need to know and do about their security and signposts to more detailed guidance if needed.

1. Watch this protective security video:

Security video for election candidates (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyY1OFbnsy4)

2. Take up the full cyber security offer (https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/defending-democracy/guidance-for-high-risk-individuals) available to me from the National Cyber Security Centre.

3. Know how to improve your information security (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/security-guidance-for-may-2021-elections/online-disinformation-and-ai-threat-guidance-for-electoral-candidates-and-officials) and understand where to go if you’re affected by online disinformation (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/security-guidance-for-may-2021-elections/social-media-security-information-for-candidates).

More information can be found here:
- More detailed cyber security guidance for high-risk individuals (https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/defending-democracy/guidance-for-high-risk-individuals)
- Understand when behaviour goes beyond political debate and may be unlawful (https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/our-guidance/candidate-or-agent/guidance-about-harassment-and-intimidation)
- Further information on social media (both securing your accounts and reporting content) (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/security-guidance-for-may-2021-elections/social-media-security-information-for-candidates)
Candidates can find more detailed guidance on protective, cyber and information security below.

For protective security we recommend candidates and political staff read:

1. Protective Security Guidance for High-Risk Individuals (https://www.npsa.gov.uk/personal-safety-and-security-high-risk-individuals) - advice and guidance on how individuals can protect themselves, staff and family from a range of threats to personal safety and security.

2. Joint Guidance on Intimidation for Candidates in Elections (https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/our-guidance/candidate-or-agent/guidance-about-harassment-and-intimidation) - guidance from The National Police Chiefs Council, Crown Prosecution Service and the Electoral Commission for candidates and campaigners, to help you understand when behaviour goes beyond political debate and may be unlawful.

3. Additional Protective Security Guidance (https://www.npsa.gov.uk/defending-democracy) – additional guidance including on securing your digital footprint, understanding and mitigating the risk from social engineering and protecting yourself from social media exploitation.

For cyber security we recommend candidates and political staff read:

1. Account and Device Cyber Guidance for High-Risk Individuals (https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/defending-democracy/guidance-for-high-risk-individuals) - advice from the National Cyber Security Centre on how individuals can protect their accounts and devices.

2. Website and Email Domain Cyber Guidance for High-Risk Individuals (https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/defending-democracy/hri-website-email-domain) - advice from the National Cyber Security Centre for individuals who already have their own website or custom email domain, or who intend to set one up.

3. Guidance for Political Organisations (https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/defending-democracy/political-organisations) - guidance outlining the cyber threat to UK political organisations and measures to prevent successful attacks.

4. Social Media Security Information for Candidates (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/security-guidance-for-may-2021-elections/social-media-security-information-for-candidates) - guidance from social media platforms on how to secure your account and report incidents of online abuse.

For information security we recommend candidates, political staff and electoral staff read:

1. Online Disinformation and AI threat Guidance for Electoral Candidates and Officials (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/security-guidance-for-may-2021-elections/online-disinformation-and-ai-threat-guidance-for-electoral-candidates-and-officials) - guidance that outlines mitigations to disrupt the impact of disinformation campaigns, which are increasingly created using generative AI.

Departmental co-owners
- Cabinet Office (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/cabinet-office)
- Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-science-innovation-and-technology)
- National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) (https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/)
- National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) (https://www.npcc.police.uk/)
- The Electoral Commission (https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/)
- The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) (https://www.cps.gov.uk/)
- College of Policing (https://www.college.police.uk/)
- National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/national-counter-terrorism-security-office)
- Counter Terrorism Policing (https://www.counterterrorism.police.uk/)
- National Protective Security Authority (NPSA) (https://www.npsa.gov.uk/)
- The UK National Authority for Counter-Eavesdropping (UKNACE) (https://www.fcdoservices.gov.uk/uk-nace/)
- Home Office (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/home-office)