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Dear colleague
Welcome to the fourteenth edition of the LGA’s Cyber, Digital and Technology Bulletin.
October is Cyber Security Awareness Month, a campaign to raise awareness about digital security and empower everyone to protect their personal data from digital forms of crime. With cyber threats constantly evolving, it’s more important than ever to be cyber aware. Our suite of guidance is designed to strengthen your council’s approach to cyber security by targeting a wide range of different audiences. Some of our key resources include:
This month, we held our first AI Network meeting, sharing our support offer plans, existing guidance available from partners, and discussed some of the different & innovative approaches being taken by councils on governing and adopting AI. Thank you to all those who attended. Please contact grace.perks@local.gov.uk to register if you are not yet a member and want to become one.
As always, please reach out to the team (cyberanddigital@local.gov.uk) for any guidance or with any questions. And finally, a reminder of our year-round on call function, helping councils with non-technical support in response and recovery of cyber incidents.
Best wishes,
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Owen Pritchard
Head of Cyber, Digital and Technology
Local Government Association
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Training opportunity for councillors - Leadership Essentials: Digitalisation
In December and January, we are running three Leadership Essentials Digitalisation programmes in Leeds, London, and Warwick. As local leaders, councillors set the digital priorities of their local areas to deliver benefits for staff, residents, businesses, and visitors. Councillors will have the opportunity to learn more about their role in building secure digital public services that meet the needs of their local communities. The cost of attending is fully subsidised. To book, email Grace Collins at grace.collins@local.gov.uk and see further details here.
C&DDaT Skill Needs Analysis
The LGA’s Cyber, Digital and Technology team are conducting a series of focus group to understand more about Cyber, Digital, Data, and Technology (CDDAT) skill needs in key council services. We are inviting expressions of interest from Heads of Service in Adult Social Care, Children’s Services, Planning, Environmental Services, and Public Health. Focus groups will take place between mid-November and early December 2023. To express an interest, please email priya.thethi@local.gov.uk and helen.wilkinson@local.gov.uk.
LGA Bespoke Cyber Support Offers
If you are looking to strengthen cyber security within your councils, we have various bespoke exercises to empower organisation-wide cyber confidence. We aim to provide individual councils with tailored advice, support, and best practice 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. If you are interested in participating, please visit our website for more information or book a short introductory meeting with the team through cyberanddigital@local.gov.uk.
LGA Women in Tech Event, Smith Square, Westminster, 9 November
This event is for colleagues looking to connect, engage, and collaborate with other women working in tech in local government. We will be exploring workforce challenges, the inclusion of women in the development and implementation of technology, and much more. Please register here. More information on our speaker line-up will be shared soon.
Local Government Data Maturity Assessment Tool
The LGA has launched a new and improved version of the Local Government Data Maturity Assessment Tool which takes account of updates in the data landscape and feedback from councils. You can use this light-touch tool to:
- Assess your council’s data maturity and find resources to support your data maturity journey.
- Give your individual assessment of your local authority's data maturity by answering questions across six themes.
- Understand your local authority's data maturity based on you and your colleagues' combined assessments.
- See how your local authority's data maturity differs across departments.
- Find resources and support for your data maturity journey.
For more information on the tool, please see the data maturity assessment webpage.
Best kept secret: How to derive efficiencies and insight from the data you did not know you had, 7 December (online event)
In this LGA hosted virtual event, you will hear from a chief executive and a former council leader about how their authorities used this location data to their benefit and the measurable impacts in their authorities. You will come away with an appreciation of how to use the location data and the value it might bring to your council; and you will be provided with practical steps that you can take to your teams to drive genuine improvement and transformation within your authority. Find out more and register here.
White paper reveals alarming rise of ransomware extortion in the cyber-crime ecosystem
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has published a white paper that sheds light on the growth of ransomware extortion within the global cyber-crime landscape. The report underlines the impact of this malicious activity, urging enhanced prevention and collaborative efforts to combat this threat. Read the full findings and recommendations here.
National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) issues guidance on supply chain security
In a recent update, the NCSC provided valuable insights into supply chain security, emphasising its importance in safeguarding organisations against cyber threats. Addressing risks and vulnerabilities, the guidance offers practical measures to protect networks while highlighting the significance of collaboration, resilience, and continuous monitoring. See the updated guidance here.
New principles to enhance resilience of cloud backups
The NCSC has introduced new principles aimed at supporting the reliability and robustness of cloud backups. These principles stress the significance of regular testing, encryption, ensuring solid access controls, and having effective backup procedures. By following these principles, organisations can increase the resilience of their cloud backups and safeguard critical data from potential cyber threats. Learn more about these new principles on the NCSC's blog.
NHS England procurement framework for digital pathways
The NHS has announced its plans to develop a procurement framework to integrate digital technologies in healthcare. The framework aims to enhance patient experience, improve care coordination, and facilitate efficient data sharing among medical professionals. This initiative aims to revolutionise the delivery of healthcare services, making them more accessible, showing the potential of effective digital and data service integration. More information about this tender is available here.
Dorset Council implements GIS to enhance home care services
Dorset Council has embraced Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology to streamline and optimise their home care services. GIS facilitates improved matching of carers to clients, ensuring more personalised care and reducing travel times. This innovative approach promotes efficiency and enhances the overall quality of care within the region. Read more on UKAuthority here.
PSTN Digital Switchover Resources
As of early September, Openreach have stopped selling the copper product known as Wholesale Line Rental (WLR), which relies on the public switched telephone network (PSTN). This indicates the importance of prepared efforts from local authorities to mitigate risks when adapting services. DHSC and the LGA are continually updating guidance, and the Digital Switchover Hub has the latest communications, guidance, and resources.
ICO Panel session at data protection practitioners conference highlights emerging threats
In a panel session held during the Data Protection Practitioners Conference, experts explored emerging cyber threats. The discussion revolved around techniques to combat cyberattacks, data breaches, and safeguard privacy. Attendees gained valuable insights into adopting robust measures in the ever-evolving digital landscape. Recordings from these sessions are available here.
The Ada Lovelace Institute urges cautious approach towards AI models.
The Ada Lovelace Institute, an independent research organisation focused on the ethical use of AI, advises policymakers and technology developers to exercise caution while deploying AI models. In their recent report on the use of foundation models in the public sector, the institute describes the need for thorough scrutiny, accountability, and transparency to mitigate potential biases and risks associated with AI technologies.
GMCA publish findings from their digital inclusion social housing pilot.
The Greater Manchester Combined Authority's (GMCA) digital inclusion social housing pilot is making progress in tackling the digital divide for residents in social housing settings. The pilot, which began in 2022, brings together five of the UK's largest telecommunication providers, five social housing providers and local authorities to engage with up to 5,000 residents from across the region.
The pilot is exploring the extent and the conditions required to address the digital divide for residents in social housing settings through a holistic package of resident support with access to digital skills sessions to build confidence and improve knowledge to complete everyday tasks online. The GMCA’s digital inclusion social housing pilot is the largest social housing intervention programme of its kind in Europe. It is hoped that the learning from the pilot will be used to inform future digital inclusion initiatives across the UK. Read the full report here.
Initial findings from the Local Digital Future Councils evaluation
Initial findings from future council's feedback roundtables show early insights into the state of digital infrastructure across various regions. The events highlighted the need to expand connectivity services and strengthen cyber security measures. The findings also stress the urgency of improving digital skills for local communities. These findings will inform future local digital strategies and initiatives. For more details, check out the blog post here.
The Electronic Communications Code and telecoms deployment, 15 November, 10am-11:30am (online event)
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and the LGA are hosting a series of webinars for Local Authorities on digital connectivity. The second webinar in the series will provide an overview of the legal environment around telecoms deployment. Find out more on the event page.
British Academy 'Developing digital inclusion networks and tackling digital inequalities: lessons and best practice for policy', 7 November, 10am-12pm (online event)
This workshop will bring together policymakers at central, regional, and local levels, as well as civil society organisations, academics, and researchers to hear the findings of three policy-focused research projects funded by the British Academy under their Policy Insight Case Studies scheme and based around the theme of ‘Technology and Inequality'. To register, contact j.digby@thebritishacademy.ac.uk.
Good Things Foundation publish their ‘Building a Digital Nation Infographic’ illustrating the UK’s digital inclusion challenge
The Good Things Foundation have released their annual ‘Building a Digital Nation’ infographic, which highlights the importance of digital inclusion and the challenges that many people in the UK still face when it comes to accessing and using digital technology. Find out more about the Building a Digital Nation work here.
NHS England launch framework for inclusive digital healthcare
NHS England has launched a new framework for inclusive digital healthcare, which aims to ensure that everyone has access to and can benefit from digital healthcare services. The framework outlines a number of actions that NHS and partner organisations can take to make their digital services more accessible and inclusive. This includes designing services with users in mind, offering alternative ways to access services for people who do not have access to digital devices or the internet, and working with partners in the voluntary and community sector to reach people who are most at risk of digital exclusion.
The framework also recognises that digital inclusion is a broader issue than just healthcare, and that NHS organisations need to work with partners across other sectors to address the root causes of digital exclusion.
iNetwork annual conference, Hybrid, 30 November, Manchester
The iNetwork will celebrate its 20th anniversary with an in-person conference on Thursday, November 30th, 2023, at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Manchester. The event will also be streamed online. The conference will cover a broad range of topics, including social value, cyber security, and the future of work. Speakers will include experts from across the iNetwork membership and beyond.
To register for the conference or to learn more, please visit the iNetwork website.
AI Safety Summit to gather global experts, 1-2 November
The AI Safety Summit, set for November 1st-2nd, will unite leading minds in artificial intelligence and ethics to focus on frontier AI models. This event will tackle the existential risks regarding AI safety, across 5 objectives with the overarching goal of coordinating action to agree a set of rapid, targeted measures for furthering safety in global AI use. The event is limited to 100 attendees, with 4 pre-Summit events having taken place with the Alan Turing Institute, the British Academy, TechUK, and the Royal Society. Follow @scitechgovuk on all channels for regular updates throughout. More information is available on the AI Safety Summit 2023 webpage.
Inclusive AI: How can we use AI to fix the digital divide? 3 November (online event)
As part of the AI Safety Summit fringe series, Good Things Foundation are hosting a panel of civil society and community leaders to explore what AI means through the lens of equity, community, and inclusion. The event is free and will focus on conversations around public attitudes towards AI, grassroots responses, and how AI can help drive digital equity. Learn more about the event and register here.
Adult social care & digital information and advice community of practice, 16 November 15:30-16:30 (online event)
In partnership with councils, sector organisations and Socitm Advisory, the LGA’s Partners in Care and Health team (PCH) are working to improve the multidisciplinary information and advice in adult social care. This includes:
- Developing a toolkit to support local authorities in improving their information and advice offer, drawing on and promoting existing good practice and innovation.
- Establishing a community of practice for information and advice, which will include information and advice managers, practitioners, front door colleagues, communications, and digital/data leads.
- Working with community navigation and social prescribing networks to help build stronger links between their services and adult social care.
- Delivering a series of webinars on aspects of information and advice activity.
The first meeting of the community of practice will inform this activity and will be informing digital and non-digital routes to accessing services. To register your interest please email wwp@local.gov.uk.
The University of Cambridge Digital Cities for Change (DC2) team has launched a new part-time course on ‘Leadership of Urban Digital Innovation for Public Value’ (LeadUP)
LeadUP is a part-time course offering qualifications at the postgraduate certificate (PGCert.), diploma (PGDip.) and Master of Studies (MSt.) levels. LeadUP also has an Executive Education course. Applications are now open for:
- PGCert/Dip/MSt course starting in September 2024.
- Executive Education course in February 2024
The courses are designed for Senior Executives, Directors, Managers and Professionals from the public and private sectors involved in the delivery of digital innovation projects with a focus on the urban built environment. Find out more and apply here or email leadup-course-admin@eng.cam.ac.uk for more information.
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
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