|
Find more about our programme on our Cyber, Digital and Technology website and by following us on Twitter
Dear Colleague,
Welcome to the fourth Cyber, digital and technology (CDT) bulletin and final edition in 2022.
2022 has brought the cyber threat to UK organisations into sharper focus than ever. Following Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has issued warnings about a heightened cyber threat and local authorities have worked tirelessly to maintain a strong cyber security posture.
As Christmas and New Year approach we should all remain alert to suspicious activity on our networks. The NCSC’s Active Cyber Defence services provide a suite of tools to help us, and if you do experience an incident please report it at the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) website and drop us a line at cyberanddigital@local.gov.uk.
Despite the work required to stay ahead of the ever-increasing cyber threat, local government has continued to lead the way in delivering resident-focused, digitally enabled, and innovative services. We are delighted to have funded some of this work through our Digital Pathfinders and Digital Connectivity programmes. This includes Leeds City Council’s project to create a community-based model to increase digital inclusion. Westminster City Council has also produced a Digital Connectivity toolkit to map and improve full fibre connectivity coverage in the borough and support other local authorities to do the same.
I am also excited about the programme of work we have planned for 2023. We will continue to support councils to deliver innovative digital services within strong cyber security culture. Our offer will include:
- expert webinars, such as this month’s featuring speakers from Microsoft sharing tips on how to maximise security and compliance features from existing licenses;
- a continuation of our Leadership Essentials programme to support councillors;
- even more bespoke cyber support in the form of Cyber 360s and Cyber Reaction exercises;
- and more tools, resources, and guidance as part of our general support offer.
We will also continue to engage with policymakers and councils to ensure local government voices are shaping national priorities.
We hope you enjoy the festive break and New Year. If there is any way we can support you through this period, please get in touch at cyberanddigital@local.gov.uk.
|
Owen Pritchard
Head of Cyber, Digital and Technology
Local Government Association
|
|
 |
Maximising security and compliance features from Microsoft 365 license
We hosted two webinars featuring speakers from Microsoft who shared top tips with councils on how to maximise the security and compliance features from their Microsoft 365 E3 and E5 licenses. You can watch these webinars here.
iNetwork Recruitment & Retention Week
We were delighted to speak at one of the iNetwork’s webinars focusing on recruitment and retention challenges in the local public sector – alongside Plexal, Circo IT, and Honey Pot Digital. Priya, Grace, and Rebekah from the CDT team shared some of our work supporting councils in recruiting and retaining cyber skills within their workforce.
 Digital phone switchover – preparing local authorities
TechUK hosted an event in November to help local authorities understand the implications of the digital phone switchover and discuss challenges. You can now access the roundup blog and recording from the event here.
LGA Cyber 360 – Volunteer Opportunity for Officers
Are you an officer looking for a peer-to-peer learning opportunity?
We're looking for officers to join our Cyber 360 team in January and February. You'll help officers in another council explore their cyber security culture. If you have a CISSP or CISM qualification, we will happily contribute a letter to support your annual mandatory CPD requirements. If you are interested or would like to discuss this further, please contact cyberanddigital@local.gov.uk.
We are currently seeking officers to join the following:
Yorkshire-based council virtual Cyber 360
- Day 1 – Monday, 30 January 2023
- Day 2 – Wednesday, 1 February 2023
- Day 3 – Thursday, 2 February 2023
East Midlands-based council virtual Cyber 360
- Day 1 – Monday, 6 February 2023
- Day 2 – Thursday, 9 February 2023
West Midlands-based council virtual Cyber 360
- Day 1 – Tuesday, 31 January 2023
- Day 2 – Monday, 6 February 2023
Take part in the LGA’s bespoke Business Continuity Exercise
Has your council exercised its business continuity plan from a cybersecurity perspective?
In partnership with the Emergency Planning College, we’re offering councils the opportunity to participate in a fully-funded Business Continuity Exercise to rehearse their response to a worst-case cyber incident scenario.
Contact us at cyberanddigital@local.gov.uk to express your interest or arrange a conversation.
Aimed at senior leaders, the Business Continuity Exercise will:
- TEST crisis response and contingency plans for a serious cyber incident
- REHEARSE individuals in crisis response process and procedures
- IDENTIFY where current plans require refinement
- IMPROVE awareness of cyber security and responsibility across the council
Demystifying digitalisation masterclasses for councillors
Are you a councillor with a portfolio for cyber or digital? Perhaps you are interested in learning more about how digitalisation can deliver transformative services.
We are hosting four half-day masterclasses in February for councillors to discuss their role in driving digital change using our 12 outcomes of digitalisation. You can register for these sessions on our webpage.
New digital skills bootcamps in Lancashire
Adults aged 19 and over in Lancashire can access a new range of free Skills Bootcamps aimed at giving people the opportunity to build in-demand sector-specific skills and fast-track to an interview with a local employer.
East Suffolk’s new online channel to support businesses.
East Suffolk Council has unveiled a new online service, Digital Springboard, which will support local businesses in their digital activities. It will provide support, resources, workshops, and grants for firms hoping to create or strengthen their online presence.
Westminster runs a pilot of air quality monitors.
Westminster City Council is close to completing a 12-month pilot project on the use of air quality monitors in streets around primary schools. It has been using 20 EarthSense Zephyr devices as part of its School Streets scheme. Upon completion, the council will compare the NO2 measurements with traffic data and baseline data from September 2020 to January 2021.
Superfast Essex campaign about social broadband tariffs
Essex County Council has launched a marketing campaign to raise awareness of broadband social tariffs as part of its new digital strategy. Essex County Council is seeking support to raise awareness of the campaign, which could save eligible residents £144 a year. You can support the campaign by sharing posts from the Superfast Essex Twitter page or sharing printed materials. To find out more, contact Superfast Essex.
Call for notable practice
Do you have any notable practice to share with our readers? We're keen to hear about practices across the sector related to our 12 strategic outcomes of digitalisation. If so, contact cyberanddigital@local.gov.uk
Cyber, Digital, and Technology (CDT) Policy Group
Our recent speakers include colleagues from DLUHC who shared their work supporting councils better assess their cyber posture through the NCSC’s Cyber Assessment Framework. Colleagues from PETRAS also shared details about an IOT project they are testing with a small group of councils.
Digital Inclusion Network
Colleagues from 100% Digital Leeds updated the network on the progress of its LGA Digital Pathfinder programme which is set to deliver a Community Based Model for Digital Inclusion. Colleagues from Basildon Borough Council also shared an update about a digital skills platform that they have created for residents to receive personalised support and to access training materials to develop digital skills as part of their digital inclusion strategy.
You can read more about our networks on our website.
NCSC weekly threat reports
A reminder to keep reviewing the NCSC’s weekly threat reports. Recent highlights from NCSC’s weekly threat reports:
Support the Cyber Aware campaign
The NCSC, with support from DCMS, the Home Office, and the police, has relaunched its Cyber Aware campaign to encourage the public to shop online securely in the run-up to Christmas. This comes as new figures revealed that victims of online shopping scams lost on average £1,000 per person in the same period last year. You can support the campaign by sharing posts from the NCSC Twitter and LinkedIn channels or using the materials on the campaign resource website.
Are you using the NCSC’s Active Cyber Defence tools?
In light of the increased global cyber security threat, please ensure you are signed up to and using the free Active Cyber Defence tools available from the NCSC. We would also encourage you to sign up for the NCSC’s Cyber Security Information Sharing Partnership, a joint industry and government digital service that allows UK organisations to share cyber threat information in a secure and confidential environment.
DLUHC digital transformation training programme for senior local government officers
DLUHC is once again running a free training programme for local government, in collaboration with the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Institute and Socitm, in February and March 2023. The Executive Education Programme in Digital Transformation for UK Local Government is designed to equip senior local government officers with the confidence and expertise to lead the successful digital transformation of public services. To register, please visit the AWS booking page.
Read insights from the Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF) for Local Government pilot
In September 2022, the DLUHC Local Digital team kicked off a pilot with 10 councils to explore how the NCSC’s Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF) could be used to help assess and manage cyber risks across the sector. Local Digital has published a blog post to share their progress so far, including some initial insights, what’s next for the pilot, and how to register for their Show and Tell in January. Read the CAF pilot blog post.
DCMS survey reveals large demand for connected places technologies
DCMS has published the results of a survey into the status of the UK’s connected places (or ‘smart cities’) which reveals a large demand for connected places technologies. Undertaken over the summer, the survey sets out how organisations such as local authorities are using connected places technologies and how they plan to do so in the future. It also explores the drivers behind the deployment of connected places technologies, how they are governed, and trends in approaches to cyber security.
Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Bill
The Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Bill has finished its Parliamentary passage and is expected to become an Act in the coming weeks. This will help protect citizens, networks, and infrastructure against the harm caused by insecure consumer ‘smart’ products. The law will require manufacturers to:
- have a vulnerability disclosure policy through which any security weakness in a product is identified and notified
- not use default passwords (which can be easy-to-guess/find out)
- be clear on how long a manufacturer will provide security updates for the product.
DHSC publishes an action plan for digital switchover
The UK’s telecommunications providers are transitioning their telephone services from analogue to digital networks. Most are aiming to complete the switchover by 2025. The Department of Health and Social Care stakeholder action plan has detailed how the Government is working with the telecommunications sector to help prepare for the transition.
Accelerating the pace of ICT in Government – Government ICT
31 January 2023 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
The 19th Annual Government ICT Conference will take place in the QEII Conference Centre in London in January 2023. The event convenes over 450 ICT, technology, and digital transformation leaders, buyers, policymakers, and expert solution providers. For further information and registration, visit the webpage.
Powering Digital Public Services 2023
8 March 2023 – 10 March 2023, 11 am-12:30 pm (virtual)
An online conference hosted by UK Authority will explore how to harness digital, data and technology to power the delivery of modern health and public services. Visit the UKAuthority webpage for details.
CYBERUK 2023, Securing an open and resilient digital future
19 April – 20 April 2023, ICC Belfast, Northern Ireland
The NCSC will be running its annual flagship conference next April in Belfast. The event will bring together key players in cyber security from around the world to discuss cyber threats, emerging technology, and shaping a resilient digital future. Apply to attend on the NCSC webpage.
Head of Programme: owen.pritchard@local.gov.uk
Cyber, Digital and Technology Team: cyberanddigital@local.gov.uk
For more information visit our Cyber and Digital hub
|
