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Dear colleague
Welcome to the eighth edition of the LGA’s Cyber, Digital and Technology Bulletin. This month, we launched a brand-new Local Government Digitalisation Almanac at our fourth Digital Showcase Conference.
 The Digitalisation Almanac expands on our 12 local government digitalisation outcomes by exploring each outcome, how councils can take simple steps to advance their digital journeys, and which learning can be shared between councils.
We hope that this guide will make the topic of local government digitalisation more accessible and understandable to a wide range of users, including both officers and councillors. The Almanac should be seen as a starting point for further sector wide collaboration and improvement. It has the potential to help councils realise the full benefits of digitalisation for employees, residents, businesses, and communities, regardless of where they are on their journey. Please share with your networks, partners, and colleagues, especially those new to digital transformation. The Almanac will be updated periodically, so if you have any feedback or notable practice you would like to share, please get in touch.
This bulletin also features: a round-up of the latest news from the National Cyber Security Centre; updates from central government, including the publication of findings from the Local Government Cyber Assessment Framework pilot; and information about our launch event - on Monday 27 March - for our new scrutiny guide, 10 Questions on Cyber Security.
We are also delighted to have supported 19 councils through our Cyber 360 programme, a fully funded bespoke offer to councils to explore their cyber security culture with a multi-disciplinary team of volunteer council officers and technical experts. Expressions of interest are currently open for participating councils so please contact us to find out more.
Finally, we’d love to get your feedback on this bulletin, so please take five minutes to fill in this feedback form. More generally, please stay in touch by emailing cyberanddigital@local.gov.uk.
Best wishes,
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Owen Pritchard
Head of Cyber, Digital and Technology
Local Government Association
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Launch of Local Government Digitalisation Almanac: A Simple Guide for Councils
This month, we launched a brand-new Local Government Digitalisation Almanac at our Digital Showcase Conference. The Almanac contains simple steps, practical examples, and recommended reading across our 12 local government digitalisation outcomes This free resource is for officers and councillors looking to realise the full benefits of digitalisation. We aim to help demystify digitalisation for a wide range of users from all backgrounds. Download the Almanac from our webpage.
LGA/CfGS Launch of Cyber Security Scrutiny Guide
Monday 27 March 2023, 10:30-12:00 on Microsoft Teams. We have worked with the Centre for Governance and Scrutiny (CfGS) to develop a guide to support the scrutiny of cyber security within council scrutiny committees. Based on 10 key questions, the guide and the event will focus on reviewing policies, practices and procedures relating to cyber security. We particularly encourage councillors on scrutiny committees to attend, along with the officers who support them and cyber security professionals within authorities. Please sign up here to register for the event.
 LGA Cyber 360 Programme – take part in Cyber 360s
We have now supported 19 councils through our Cyber 360 programme, which provides a fully-funded opportunity for councils to explore cyber security through a different lens. We’re now looking to support more councils through the Cyber 360 programme. Your council will have the opportunity to engage with a multi-disciplinary team who will provide in-depth, bespoke support, supporting you in building your capabilities and developing a whole-council approach to cyber-security. We’re also looking for officers to volunteer as part of a Cyber 360 team. To learn more, please get in touch with CyberandDigital@local.gov.uk or join our next drop-in session on 12 April, which you can register for here.
Digital switchover alert as delays could put lives at risk and stifle growth, councils warn
Currently based on copper wires, the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) will be switched off by 2025 as the UK’s telecoms infrastructure is upgraded to digital connectivity. The LGA has called for greater support for councils with the transition. We have warned how vital telecare equipment used by nearly two million older and disabled people and traffic lights and cash machines could cease to operate unless councils get more support in preparing for the upgrade. Please see our knowledge hub for more information on the switchover and the LGA position.
Creating a digital manager role within a district council – South Hams and West Devon Borough Council
South Hams District Council and West Devon Borough Council were awarded funding through our Digital Connectivity Programme to create a new post for a ‘Community Digital Connectivity Manager’. This post works with communities to assist with digital connectivity issues. The project report details the post’s impact, its role in mapping publicly available data, and the growth of a broadband champions network to map local connectivity needs and signpost to national connectivity schemes. It also highlights key performance indicators that can be used to measure local place-based impact on communities and their ability to take advantage of digital connectivity. Please read the full report on our webpage.
Launch of Digital Greenwich Connect
A new £2 million joint venture has been launched between DG Cities, an innovation company set up and owned by Greenwich Council, and full-fibre provider ITS Technology Group. Digital Greenwich Connect aims to make the Royal Borough of Greenwich one of the most digitally-connected areas in the country. A new company, Digital Greenwich Connect Ltd, has been incorporated to design, build, maintain, and commercialise a 21 km full-fibre, gigabit-capable network infrastructure.
Hull City Council trials smart technology for bus stops and crossings
Hull City Council has begun a trial of smart technology to make bus stops and pedestrian crossings easier for people with visual impairments and other disabilities. Smart Cross enables touch-free use of pedestrian crossings for people, such as those with Parkinson’s disease, who find pressing a button difficult.
NCSC weekly threat reports
Recent highlights from NCSC’s weekly threat reports:
Zero trust: building a mixed estate
The NCSC has published guidance on why parts of your infrastructure can’t implement zero trust principles. Describing the resulting architecture as a mixed estate, the NCSC suggests two ways organisations can enable access while maintaining the security benefits of zero trust for the whole system.
DLUHC publishes report on Local Government Cyber Assessment Framework pilot
Last year, the Local Digital team at DLUHC began a pilot with 10 councils in England to explore how the NCSC’s Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF)could be used to identify and manage cyber risks across the sector. The CAF for Local Government pilot was the first step in understanding how a cyber security baseline for local government might work. Visit the Local Digital webpage to read the full report.
 DLUHC announces pilot councils for new programme, Future Councils
DLUHC has announced that it has partnered with eight councils for a Future Councils pilot – a new programme to support local authorities across England to become modern and resilient. Read more about the Future Councils Pilot in this blog post.
 DLUHC awards £2 million of funding to council-led digital projects
DLUHC has announced the 16 projects awarded funding through Round 6 of the Local Digital Fund. The Local Digital Fund aims to make local government services safer, resilient, and cost-effective. You can find out more about the projects in this blog post.
 Responsibility for digital, cyber security and ICO moves from DCMS to DSIT
In February, the Government announced the creation of a new department, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). Digital and cyber security responsibility has moved from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to DSIT. The new department will continue to deliver the priorities set out by the National Cyber Strategy 2022. Prime minister Rishi Sunak also recently announced that the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) would be moved under the sponsorship of DSIT in a move to enable the secretary of state to deliver an innovative and practical approach to the use of personal data, as part of the UK’s approach to data protection.
Crown Commercial Service (CCS) produces a digital transformation guide
CCS has produced a new digital transformation guide based on the Government’s Technology Code of Practice, a set of criteria to help the public sector to design, build and buy technology. The guide aims to support local government in building digital transformation strategies that best meet the needs of residents and communities.
TikTok was banned on UK government devices as part of a wider app review
Social media app TikTok has been banned on government electronic devices, the Cabinet Office announced on 16 March 2023. The ban comes after Cabinet Office Ministers ordered a security review. This looked at the potential vulnerability of government data from social media apps on devices and how some platforms could access and use sensitive information. Currently, the Government has yet to issue guidance for local government. For more information, please see the announcement.
Government seeking views on software security and resilience
The government is asking for industry views on software resilience and security for businesses and organisations. Strengthening the resilience of software is an important to harness digital, data and technology software resilience more widely, so the government is seeking views on software cyber risk, and where government action might help to mitigate such risk. The deadline to provide views is Monday 1 May. If you would like to share your views with the LGA, please email cyberanddigital@local.gov.uk
Integrating Digital Health and Care
Wednesday 10 May to Friday 12 May
This conference will explore opportunities to build on the digital acceleration seen during the COVID-19 pandemic – and ways to further harness digital, data and technology in order to innovate and integrate health and care. For further information, including registration, please visit the UKAuthority webpage.
Soctim’s President Conference
Tuesday 13 June – Wednesday 14 June, Hilton Brighton Metropole
Socitm is holding its annual President’s conference in Brighton on 13 and 14 June. This two-day event will focus on the themes of designing out of difficult times and revolutionising the use of technology and data. For further information, including registration, please visit the event page.
CYBERUK 2023: securing an open and resilient digital future
Wednesday 19 April – Thursday 20 April, ICC Belfast, Northern Ireland
The NCSC is running its annual flagship conference this 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.
Cyber, Digital and Technology Team: cyberanddigital@local.gov.uk
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