Security
Alarm sounded on cyber threat to local elections
Ministers have written to councils to warn of attempted foreign interference in next year’s elections.
UK councils in distress – What can we learn from ‘Down Under’?
Recently returned from a fact-finding trip to Australia, Ian Owen describes how councils in the UK could learn a thing or two from their Australian counterparts’ transformational approach.
Is it time to consider AI legislation?
Watching the development of the EU AI Act could provide local authorities unsure about the use of AI and its potential impact with some useful guidelines, writes Sandip Patel KC.
Guarding the gate: bolstering cybersecurity in the public sector
In the face of this summer’s major cyber incidents, Christiaan Beek offers advice on how to mitigate the risks to the public sector, with a focus on basic security hygiene.
Council hit by suspected ransomware attack
St Helens BC has put in place extra security measures after a suspected ransomware attack on its IT systems and networks.
Russian hackers accessed private data, council says
Gloucester City Council has warned residents that some personal information may have been stolen by Russian hackers.
Councils hit by further Capita data breach
Local authorities said they were taking action after a data breach by the revenues and benefits software supplier Capita.
Cyber Centre’s design to protect councils’ security
Kurtis Toy says the Cyber Centre of Excellence will help councils provide platforms that are safe in the digital world.
Councils still vulnerable to online attacks, MPs told
Councils must get together with insurers to work out how to protect themselves against the risk of cyber attacks, a leading security expert has warned.
A cyber-resilient public sector needs investment
Arnie Armstrong looks at what local government needs to address cyber security challenges including a clear centralised plan to help organisations share data and expertise.
Councils hit by two million cyber attacks
Cyber attacks on councils have increased this year, with the number reaching 2.3 million so far in 2022.
Luton council victim of £1.1m cyber crime
Luton Borough Council was the victim of a ‘highly sophisticated and organised crime group’ that stole £1.1m that had been earmarked for a school, investigation finds.
Councils rethink £30m of Gazprom spending
Councils are reconsidering the multi-million pound contracts they have with the state-owned Russian gas company Gazprom in light of Russia’s Ukraine invasion.
What to do when best practice still loses you £6.4m?
The threat to councils from cyber attacks, rather like coronavirus, is endemic and we need to learn to live with it safely, says Dr Andrew Larner of iESE.
Five ways to protect your office against a Hackney LBC style cyber-attack
Jon Lucas outlines five steps councils must take to protect themselves against a cyber-attack.
Returning officers warned over cyber threat to elections
Returning officers are being warned of the potential risk of cyber-attacks disrupting elections as large swathes of the country head to the polls on super Thursday.
Responding to the threat of ransomware
Following recent local government ransomware attacks – and a warning from the cabinet office – Dr Andrew Larner considers what councils can do to boost cyber security.
Hackney cyberattack shows councils must bolster their cybersecurity
Local authorities need to strengthen their cybersecurity posture to deliver high-quality public services and protect sensitive data, says Terry Greer-King.
Keeping business locked up during lockdown
Tony Ellis describes how the pandemic brought unique challenges to the task of ensuring cyber security at England's newest council was robust enough for launch day.
A time for vigilance as ransomware threat still looms
Among the many recently identified threat vectors that should concern local government is a malware threat group known as APT12, which has been attributed to China, warns chief executive of the iESE Dr Andrew Larner.