Local Government Large Language Model Inquiry Response 

The LGA, in partnership with Socitm and Solace and informed through engagement with the sector, submitted a local government response to the UK Parliamentary Inquiry Call for Evidence on Large Language Models. Some key messages included an assessment of the risks and opportunities identified by councils in the deployment of Large Language Models, and what principles councils want to see in a regulatory regime. To read the response in full, please see our website.

Local Government AI Network, Friday 6 October 2023, 11am-12.30pm

Based on the support needs identified from the sector, the LGA are establishing a LG AI network, where councils can meet monthly to learn from each other, hear from leading experts in the field, and understand more about central government’s direction on AI. The LG AI network builds on the Advanced and Predictive Analytics Network (APAN) convened by the LGA since 2020.

Our first meeting will take place on MS Teams on Friday 6 October from 11am-12.30pm and will focus on different approaches to the governance of large language models and how they’re being used. If you’d like to join the LG AI network, please complete this google form.

Generative AI & Cyber Security Webinar, 26 October 2023, 2-3pm

Join us for an exciting session on AI and cyber security where we will explore how these new processes can significantly reduce the risk of cyber-attacks and greatly improve overall security effectiveness. This event is suitable to those working in IT teams in a council with a Microsoft E3 or E5 license. Please register via this link and you will receive a calendar invite.

Cyber Security Strategy Blueprint

Are you experienced in writing and/or implementing a cyber-security strategy? We’re developing a ‘Cyber Security Strategy Blueprint’ and are looking for peer reviewers. We are inviting interested councils to take part in user testing of the template and provide feedback on gaps and key areas for us to consider. We are particularly interested in hearing from:

• councils who are currently developing a cyber security strategy or are looking to develop one in the future
• councils who have a strategy in place and would be happy to share anonymised examples that can be included in the template.

If would like to find out further information, please email cyberanddigital@local.gov.uk.

Cyber Unpacked

Have you seen our explainer videos on cyber security? We designed our first batch of explainer videos on cyber concepts with the objective of supporting officers and councillors who are digital newcomers. Please share the materials from Cyber Unpacked with your colleagues and within your networks.

Cyber 360 and Reaction Exercises

If you are looking to strengthen cyber security within your councils, we have various bespoke exercises to empower you on all levels. We aim to provide individual councils tailored advice, support, and best practise through a Cyber 360 or our Reaction Exercises. We have now supported over 30 councils & over the next few months we aim to support 20 more. We have availability from this October for our Cyber 360 exercises.

Please visit our website for more information or to book a short introductory meeting with the team, please email CyberandDigital@local.gov.uk.

LGA Sector Support Survey

As we look towards 2024, the LGA will soon be beginning discussions with Government departments regarding future programmes of support. To help ensure that our support offer meets the needs of councils and addresses key improvement challenges, we have launched our annual sector support survey to get views directly from the sector on their priorities and challenges.

Response and Recovery Survey

We are currently undertaking a survey to build a better understanding of how prepared the sector is to respond to a cyber incident. This will enable us to shape our wider cyber, digital and technology programme and ensure that local authorities have the support they most need to respond to the increasing cyber threat. Individual survey invitations were sent to Heads of IT Services via email, if your council has not received its invitation please contact Helen Wilkinson (helen.wilkinson@local.gov.uk), who will be able to forward a copy of the email.

What Good Looks Like in Digital Adult Social Care 

The PCH Digital Transformation in Adult Social Care team are hosting a series of webinars following the launch of the What Good Looks Like (WGLL) for Digital Adult Social Care. We invite everyone with an interest in this area to join any or all these four webinars as we explore each of the seven success measures stated in WGLL and hear from local authorities across the country share their learning.

Please register using the links below:

• What Good Looks Like Webinar Two: Improving Care & Empower People - 28 September 11am-12pm
• What Good Looks Like Webinar Three: Well Led & Support Workforce - 26 October 11am-12pm

LGA Women in Tech Event, 9 & 10 November, in person

In November 2023 we will be hosting an in-person Women in Tech event for officers working in local government. This event will form a cohort for support and networking opportunities, and spotlight women working in the sector. It will look to build understanding of workforce challenges for women working in cyber, digital and technology related roles across local government as well as exploring issues such as the inclusion of women in the development and implementation of technology.

Please register your interest here. More information on our speaker line-up and information on how to book your place will be shared soon. The expression of interest form provides an opportunity to give feedback on what you would like to see from the event.

NCSC & National Crime Agency (NCA) white paper into ransomware, extortion, and the cyber crime ecosystem

This white paper, published by the NCSC and the NCA, examines how the tactics of organised criminal groups have evolved as ransomware and extortion attacks have grown in popularity. The white paper describes findings from cyber incidents and details the evolving threat responding to the shifts in the ecosystem around ransomware and extortion. Reflecting on the role of complex supply chain factors, this is a crucial read for local government.

NCSC research problem book published

The NCSC has published the latest version of its research problem book. The book identifies the most significant cross-cutting problems the NCSC believes need concerted and significant collaborative effort from multiple and diverse disciplines over the next decade. These include: how can we build systems that we trust? How do we make system security assessments more data driven? And how do we make phishing a thing of the past?

The problem book is aimed at anyone with research interests in cyber security, including academia and industry partners, with new chapters to be added in the future. NCSC would also like to hear about industry work already happening which contributes to solving these problems.

See more about the NCSC research problem book.

NCSC information on categorising UK cyber incidents

The NCSC’s Information Management team are responsible for triage and categorisation of UK cyber incidents. This explainer details the six levels of severity that applies across the public sector to small business and provides a framework for response and categorisation of incidents from localised incidents to a national cyber emergency. Read more about this categorisation model here.

Digital Poverty Alliance Webinar: Is Universal Internet Access Becoming an Essential Human Right?

 As part of End Digital Poverty Day, the Digital Poverty Alliance (DPA) hosted a webinar to explore the current state of internet accessibility in the UK, and the impact of limited internet access on crucial aspects of life, alongside strategies to promote digital inclusion. The recording is available to watch here, featuring the DPA’s Chief Executive, Elizabeth Anderson, and Matt Adam, CEO of We Are Digital.

Get Online Week: 16-22 October 2023

The annual campaign run by the UK’s leading digital inclusion charity; Good Things Foundation is returning for its 16th year. Every year Get Online Week enables digitally excluded people to learn the essential digital skills needed to get online through free, friendly, and fun local events. The campaign is an opportunity to host an event and promote the initiatives available to residents, through digital inclusion schemes, skills support and library offers. Find out more, and access Good Things Foundation’s resources here.

Mobile UK publishes landmark report on the role of mobile connectivity in talking the digital divide 

With research showing 21 per cent of UK adults now only accessing the internet using a smartphone, a major new report into digital exclusion by Mobile UK, the industry body for the UK’s Mobile Network Operators (MNOS), is highlighting the growing importance of mobile connectivity and the need for better Government policy. Read the report ‘From Exclusion to Inclusion – How mobile connectivity can further narrow the digital divide’ to see Mobile UK’s five recommendations to redress the digital divide.

LOTI Guidance on Generative AI for Local Authorities

Over the summer of 2023, the London Office of Technology and Innovation (LOTI) has worked with its members and partners to create guidance for local authorities on the topic of Generative AI (GenAI). There are four new resources available online, including one-pagers for local authority leaders and staff, a State of Play report and a guidance for CIOs produced with Faculty AI. LOTI have also published blogs on responsible AI in local government, and the State of Play of AI in local government, to support their guidance for the sector. For more information visit the LOTI website.

CCS Microsoft negotiations

Crown Commercial Services (CCS) has commenced negotiations with Microsoft regarding the replacement of the existing Microsoft DTA 21 MOU. To inform this work, CCS is asking interested parties to complete the following survey by Monday 25 September. Please complete or pass on to the team/person responsible for managing your Microsoft estate. On a related note, the LGA are in discussions with CCS regarding local government engagement to ensure councils are shaping negotiation priorities. If you’d like to be kept informed, please complete this form.

Local Digital Future Councils roundtables

Over the last few months, the DLUHC Local Digital team have been working closely with their Future Councils pilot cohort to explore the root causes behind what’s blocking them from becoming modern and resilient. Together, they have developed 6 problem statements which summarise the systemic challenges councils are facing. This Autumn the Local Digital team is inviting councils to join their Future Councils Roundtable series to share their experience, including whether they face similar challenges, and discuss potential solutions.

The Roundtable events are open to anyone working in digital and cyber roles in councils, as well as council senior or strategic leaders (CEOs, Directors, Heads of Service, and other senior leaders). Visit the Local Digital website to find out more and register for an event, taking place in Leeds, Leicester, Exeter and London.

Smart Infrastructure Pilot Programme (SIPP) successful applicants announced

Smart streetlamps that can charge electric vehicles and boost wireless coverage will be rolled out in towns and cities across the UK, as part of a £1.3 million pilot to test next-generation digital technologies.

With the rising demand for wireless services, companies are increasingly exploring opportunities to install infrastructure on lamp posts, traffic lights, CCTV columns, benches, bins, and bus stops. That is why six areas from across the UK will receive funding to trial new multi-purpose street columns which will house equipment to support the rollout of advanced wireless networks like 5G or free public Wi-Fi.

The six authorities that will see investment through SIPP are Cambridgeshire County Council, Tees Valley Combined Authority, Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, Westminster City Council, Oxfordshire County Council and North Ayrshire Council. Find out more about this programme here.

DSIT secure connected places research

To help develop government policy, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) is currently conducting research on the sector’s understanding of cyber security approaches in connected places - such as airports, railway stations, universities, and other public spaces. If you work in designing, procuring, or managing connected place technology in these areas, we would be interested in hearing from you. If you are involved in the management or procurement of connected place technology, share your insight and get involved here. Participants are eligible for an honorarium or a charity donation for taking part.

Save the date – Government Cyber Security Conference, 7 December 2023

This year’s Government Cyber Security Conference will be taking place on 7 December 2023 at the QEII Centre, London, SW1. The event will also be streamed online for those unable to attend in person on the day. Further details will be available soon but if you have any queries at this stage, please contact gsfinfo@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.  

Promising Trouble: The Real Cost of Broadband, 28 September 2023, online

As the UK cost of living crisis continues, and the evidence mounts that poorer households are being hardest hit by price rises and limited incomes, the social enterprise Promising Trouble recognise the status of home broadband as an essential household spend as being under-recognised. Join Promising Trouble's Rachel Coldicutt and Anna Dent as they talk through their broadband affordability modelling and report in this webinar. Read the full report, factsheet and modelling here.

Sign up here to attend the online presentation.

Cyber UK 2024 Announced

CYBERUK provides a unique opportunity to shape the future of the cyber security ecosystem across the UK and beyond. Each year, the event convenes over 2,000 cyber security leaders and technical professionals for 2.5 days of networking, learning, and collaboration. Content is delivered by world-leading experts and examines some of the most significant opportunities and pressing challenges facing the global cyber community. In 2024, for the first time, CYBERUK will be held in the West Midlands. Read more about the event theme, and details for registering here.

AI & Data4Good, 18-20 October 2023, online

This virtual conference, taking place across 3 mornings, will explore the fundamental role and importance of data to improving public services. While this has long been recognised, issues remain around the quality of data, standards for integration, information governance and how best to explore data to deliver valuable insights on people, places, and organisations. Speakers include the Central Digital & Data Office, NHS England, the Open Data Institute, Socitm, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, and more. The event is free for public sector colleagues, and you can register here.