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Dear colleague
Welcome to the fifteenth edition of the LGA’s Cyber, Digital and Technology Bulletin.
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This month we launched our Local Government Women in Tech event intended to both help build more inclusive technology cultures in councils and provide an opportunity for women in the sector to network and share best practice. The all-day in-person event brought together local government officers from across the cyber, digital, data and/or technology space to connect, collaborate, and celebrate others’ achievements. |
We enjoyed a packed programme, with speakers from several councils and colleagues from Socitm and HMRC's award winning Women in Tech network. The cohort will continue to stay in touch via a LinkedIn group and we look forward to future events. Thank you to all who made the day so motivating and memorable.
We were also delighted to speak at ‘AI at a Turning Point: How Can We Create Equitable AI Governance Futures?' hosted by Queen Mary University of London with The Alan Turing Institute, Big Innovation Centre and the All-Party Parliamentary Group on AI.
Rebekah Wilson contributed to a panel discussion on the importance of responsible and trustworthy development, procurement, and use of AI technologies in the public sector, and how corresponding public sector standards of good practice can serve as a model for the broader AI innovation ecosystem. |
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This week, we’ll be at the iNetwork’s 20th Anniversary Conference, speaking on the panel discussing ‘Managing risk down the supply chain’, and we look forward to seeing colleagues there. We take this opportunity to remind you to explore our support resources on supply chain cyber resilience.
Please reach out for any guidance or questions, and a reminder of our year-round on call function, supporting councils with non-technical support in response and recovery of cyber incidents, available 365 days a year.
Best wishes,
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Owen Pritchard
Head of Cyber, Digital and Technology
Local Government Association
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Digitalisation: Leadership Essentials Programme
Following on from the success of last year’s programme, the LGA is hosting three more Leadership Essentials Digitalisation programmes which will aim to provide councillors with an understanding of their role as local leaders in a digital age. It is designed to demystify digitalisation for those new to this area as well as those looking to build on their existing knowledge. The course is for leaders, deputy leaders, portfolio holders with responsibility for digital agendas and scrutiny chairs/committee members with an interest in cyber, digital and technology. January courses are taking place on the 10 -11 in Leeds, and 20 -21 in Coventry. Learn more about this programme or email grace.collins@local.gov.uk to book a place.
Digital Connectivity in Housing with DSIT, 24 January 2024, Online
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and the LGA are hosting a series of webinars for Local Authorities on digital connectivity. The third webinar in the series will discuss the benefits of digital connectivity for housing providers, including increasing online access and providing connected services. This session is aimed at housing teams within Local Authorities, as well as Housing Associations and councillors with relevant portfolios. Find our more about this event and sign up.
Cyber, Digital, Data and Technology Skills Needs Workshops
The LGA’s Cyber, Digital and Technology team is conducting a series of workshops 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. Workshops began in mid-November and are continuing into December 2023. Thank you to colleagues who have taken part so far. To express an interest in the remaining sessions, please email Priya.thethi@local.gov.uk or see more information on our website.
Autumn Statement & AI
On 22 November, the Chancellor announced the Autumn Statement. The LGA welcomes announcements related to investment in the safe deployment of AI and the AI Safety Institute, however noted that the Government’s focus on frontier models, although important, neglects focus and support on the wide-ranging use of AI that will impact the daily lives of UK residents. The LGA called for more funding to be made available to councils to avail of and prepare for the use of AI given the pivotal role that local government must play if the UK is to be an ‘AI powerhouse’. Read the LGA’s briefing on the statement.
Local Government AI Network
Our second meeting of the Local Government AI Network is taking place on 15 December. We’ll be joined by speakers from the Equality and Human Rights Commission, and the Information Commissioners Office who will be providing an overview of AI, the Public Sector Equality Duty and data protection law, and signposting to practical support and guidance that councils can avail of. We hope this will support councils to ‘bring to life’ ethical principles often associated with AI (such as transparency, explainability, and fairness), and address concerns regarding legal compliance we’ve heard in our engagement with the sector to date.
All local government colleagues are welcome to join. Please email grace.perks@local.gov.uk for an invite.
NCSC Annual Review 2023
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has released its highly anticipated Annual Review for 2023, providing valuable insights into the latest cyber security challenges and accomplishments, and a reflection of the past year. This comprehensive report from the UK government's cyber security agency offers local government professionals a valuable resource to stay updated on the evolving cyber landscape and strengthen their digital defence strategies. The NCSC urges local government bodies to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to protect against potential cyber-attacks. Read the full review.
AI: What Senior Leaders in Local Government Should Know
During a virtual roundtable hosted by Socitm, AI experts and senior local government leaders considered what the rapidly changing environment means for the sector. Themes included awareness of AI within leadership; the ethics, biases and unconscious bias; data breaches that AI might cause; how AI can be used to change local government, and how AI-ready tools already embedded may be used for greater benefit in the future. Read a summary of the key themes discussed.
Local Authority Customers Save Over £3.5 Million Through Mobile Voice and Data Aggregation
In a recent report, the Crown Commercial Service reveals that customers have saved over £3.5 million through their mobile voice and data aggregation service. The service, designed to help local government organisations streamline their telecom expenses, enables cost-effective procurement and management of mobile contracts. This case study details how these savings were achieved by 9 local authorities.
Lloyds Consumer Digital Index 2023
The fifth annual measure of digital and financial lives was published on 22 November. The report, commissioned by Lloyds Bank on behalf of the Department of Education illustrates the need for collaboration on advancing financial and digital inclusion & skills, and highlights findings including 54% of working adults cannot perform the 20 digital tasks that government and industry agree are vital for today’s workforce. Read the full report.
AI Safety Summit Addresses Safety Risks of Artificial Intelligence
The AI Safety Summit, held at Bletchley Park on 1- 2 November 2023, united key countries, leading technology organisations, academia, and civil society in tackling the safety risks associated with AI. Recognising cyber security as a crucial factor, DSIT (the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology) advocate for a "Secure by Design" approach to embed security measures in AI's development and lifecycle. DSIT is collaborating with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) on a multi-year program to enhance AI's security. Read more about the summit.
DLUHC Requests Data on Agency Usage and Workforce Capacity
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has reached out to the Local Government Association (LGA) to collect crucial data on agency usage and workforce capacity. Through the LGA’s improvement programme, we have distributed online surveys to capture local councils' workforce issues and their needs in specific skill shortage areas. These areas include adult social care, finance, building control, environmental health, IT, and legal.
Gathering this data will enable us to propose effective measures for addressing workforce issues within local authorities. We have sent the surveys to the relevant heads of service in your local authority, and we kindly request your council's full participation. For any inquiries, please contact research@local.gov.uk or visit the LGA's website for more information.
Good Things Foundation: Public Sector Pioneers - reusing IT equipment to bridge the digital divide, 12 December, 12-1pm, Via Zoom
As organisations across sectors show interest in reusing IT equipment to bridge the digital divide and tackle the issue of e-waste in the UK, this research and event will spotlight the public sector pioneers – across health, education, local, regional and national government bodies – who are tackling these two critical social and environmental issues by donating their disused technology to help fix the digital divide through local or national services like Good Things' National Device Bank.
Alongside a presentation of research findings, Good Things Foundation will be joined by a panel of experts to discuss the insights and recommendations - including Genta Hajri, Delivery Lead on Digital Innovation at London Office for Technology and Innovation; Rob Benson, Project Manager for Digital Inclusion at Liverpool City Region Combined Authority; Raj Mack, Head of Digital City and Innovation at Birmingham City Council, and Helen Milner OBE, Group CEO at Good Things Foundation. Register via this link, and email Hannah.whelan@goodthingsfoundation.org with any questions.
Information Commissioner’s Office Workshop on Privacy Enhancing Technologies (PETs), 20 February, The Claremont Charing Cross Hotel, London
The ICO is holding a workshop to gain insight into the barriers to adoption that exist for both suppliers and users of PETs, with the aim of producing and publishing a report based on the findings. The workshop is for individuals with responsibility for and expertise in data protection. You do not need to be in an organisation that has adopted Privacy Enhancing Technologies - curiosity about the technology is sufficient. You can find out more about the workshop and register here.
iNetwork’s 20th Anniversary Conference 30 November
This week, iNetwork are celebrating their 20th Anniversary at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Manchester. The conference will bring together a range of inspiring senior speakers, and exhibitors. The event will cover a broad range of topics from social value to cyber security, highlighting the diverse range of subject areas covered by iNetwork. As well as being held in person, the event will be streamed and there will be several dedicated online sessions for delegates who are unable to travel to Manchester. See here for more information and follow the iNetwork on social media to stay updated.
Future Gazing: Where Next for Local Government Tech in 2024? 13 December, In-Person & Online
As local authorities strive to enhance citizen outcomes and foster a thriving community, technology stands as a powerful enabler. Join techUK as they put the spotlight on local government tech innovations, reflect on the digital trends of the past year and make their predictions for 2024. This event is both in-person at 10 St Bride Street, London, EC4A 4AD and online. The event is free to attend and open to techUK members and the public sector. Find out more and register here.
CYBERUK 2024, 10-12 May 2023 at the ICC, Birmingham
The Government’s flagship cyber security conference will once again bring together the UK's leading cyber security professionals to discuss the latest trends and threats. 2024’s theme will be Future Tech, Future Threat, Future Ready. As ever, as well as facilitating networking and learning, the event will feature a range of exhibitors showcasing the latest cyber security products and services and is free for public sector colleagues. Find out more here.
Cyber, Digital and Technology Team: cyberanddigital@local.gov.uk
For more information visit our Cyber and Digital hub
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