Who is eligible to join, and more about free and sponsored services

Who is eligible to receive GSE services?

Our services are specifically designed for organisations that can leverage threat intelligence for the public good. This includes:

• National Police Forces and associated law enforcement agencies in the UK and partner nations.
• Accredited Research Organisations, including universities and non-profit institutions studying security, criminology, and digital threats.
• Vetted Community Partners, such as trusted cybersecurity organisations, infrastructure providers, and independent groups who have a demonstrated commitment to sharing threat intelligence openly and responsibly.

What is the difference between a "Free" and a "Sponsored" service?

Free Services: These form our foundational offering. They are available to all eligible parties and typically include access to our general threat intelligence feeds, public reports, and community alerts. The goal of our free tier is to ensure the widest possible distribution of crucial threat data.

Sponsored Services: These are more advanced or resource-intensive services that are provided at no cost to the end-user because they are funded by a third-party sponsor (e.g., a government grant, philanthropic foundation, or corporate partner). This might include dedicated analyst support, tailored intelligence briefings, or access to specialised data platforms.

Why are some of these powerful services offered for free?

We operate on the principle that security is a collective responsibility. Financial constraints should not prevent a police force or a critical research team from accessing intelligence that could prevent harm. By providing these services for free, we lower the barrier to entry and foster a more inclusive and effective security community. Our operating costs are covered by grants, sponsorships, and contributions from larger partners who share our vision.

Is there an obligation for my organisation to share data back to the GSE?

For our Free services, there is no formal obligation to contribute data, although it is highly encouraged as it strengthens the entire ecosystem. For Sponsored services, there may be a collaborative agreement that includes data sharing provisions, but this is always established with full transparency during the application process.

How do we apply to access these services?

You can begin the process by visiting the 'Plans' section of our website and contacting us as indicated. All applicants undergo a vetting process to ensure they meet our eligibility criteria and are legitimate entities. This is essential to maintaining the trust and integrity of our network.