Ordnance Survey

Profile narrative

Ordnance Survey is the national mapping agency for Great Britain, tasked with creating and maintaining the authoritative geographic information that underpins the country’s spatial infrastructure. Its core offerings include the detailed OS MasterMap dataset, a suite of digital products such as OS Maps and OS OpenData, and traditional paper maps used for navigation, planning and recreation. These resources support a wide range of activities, from government policy formulation and emergency response to utility network management, transport logistics, environmental monitoring and commercial location‑based services. The agency also provides consultancy, training and licensing arrangements to help public and private sector users integrate spatial data into their workflows.

Headquartered in Southampton, United Kingdom, Ordnance Survey operates as a government‑owned trading fund that reports to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Its remit covers the entirety of Great Britain, delivering geographic data that encompasses every administrative boundary, road network, watercourse and natural feature within the jurisdiction. The phishing incident recorded on 1 January 2020 revealed that the organisation employs roughly 1,000 staff, as the breach potentially exposed personal data of approximately that number of employees, including bank details for fewer than five individuals. Historical notes indicate that Ordnance Survey has experienced earlier security events that did not result in data loss, underscoring a pattern of incidents that were contained without compromising core information assets.

Ordnance Survey distinguishes itself through its statutory role as the official source of geographic information for Great Britain, a position it has held since its establishment in the late eighteenth century. This long‑standing heritage in surveying and cartography enables the agency to deliver data renowned for accuracy, completeness and a consistent updating cycle, maintained through aerial surveys, ground‑based measurements and contributions from partner organisations. The comprehensive national database it curates is continuously refreshed and made available via various licensing models, including open data releases and commercial agreements. As a public sector body, Ordnance Survey is subject to government data standards and accountability mechanisms, which reinforces its reputation as a trusted provider for both state decision‑makers and private industry users seeking reliable geospatial foundations.

Incidents

1 incident linked to this organisation.