The Digital Preservation Coalition (DPC) has today launched the first in a new three-part Technology Watch Guidance Note series exploring cyber security and resilience for digital preservation. Available initially as an exclusive preview for DPC Members, the series will be released publicly on 31 August 2026.
As cybercrime continues to evolve in scale and sophistication, organizations responsible for preserving digital content face an increasingly complex threat landscape. Developed in response to these challenges, the new series examines the relationship between cyber security and digital preservation, offering practical guidance to help organizations strengthen resilience and preparedness while maintaining long-term access to digital content. 
The first Guidance Note, Part 1: Understand Cyber Threats, was launched today during the DPC's event, Zero Trust Thinking: Doing Resilient Digital Preservation in a World of Cyber Risk, and is now available to DPC Members. Written by Heather Lowrie, Director of Resilionix, and Garth Stewart, Head of Good Practice at the DPC, the publication introduces key concepts, risks, and considerations for both practitioners and organizational leaders. It highlights the key cyber threats to our practice and the importance of embedding cyber security within digital preservation, and encourages closer collaboration between preservation, IT, and security teams.
Commenting on the publication, co-author Garth Stewart said:
“Cyber security is no longer a separate consideration for digital preservation; it is a core part of preserving digital content over time. The environments in which we work are becoming more complex, interconnected, and exposed to risk. This Guidance Note is intended to help organizations and practitioners understand those risks, develop effective responses, and build resilience without compromising access, preservation objectives, or professional practice. We also wish to emphasize that digital preservation practitioners should not face this challenge alone: we offer tools and methods on engaging and securing effective collaboration between leadership, preservation, IT, and security teams, who all have an important role to play in safeguarding our digital legacy.”
Today's publication is the first of three Guidance Notes in the series, with two further releases scheduled for 9 July and 30 July 2026. Together, the publications will explore the challenges of cyber security in digital preservation and support organizations in developing effective approaches to managing risk and building resilience.
The Technology Watch publication series is just one of the ways the DPC supports the digital preservation community. An international charitable foundation and advocate for digital preservation, the Coalition helps its members around the world to deliver resilient long-term access to digital content and services through community engagement, targeted advocacy work, training and workforce development, capacity building, good practice and standards, tailored support and consultancy, and through good management and governance. Its vision is a secure digital legacy.
Click to:
- Read Cyber Security and Resilience for Digital Preservation Part 1: Understand Cyber Threats (DPC Member Login required)
- Discover the whole Technology Watch Series
- Find out more about joining the DPC