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Dear colleague
Welcome to the sixteenth edition of the LGA’s Cyber, Digital and Technology Bulletin, and our final edition of the year. 2023 has been a busy time for the team. Some particular highlights include:
- We launched our Cyber Unpacked videos, currently coming it at over 17k views on YouTube.
- We published our Digitalisation Almanac, sharing resources, practical steps and examples supporting council’s digitalisation journeys, launching this at our Digital Showcase event in March with over 150 attendees.
- We held 34 network meetings, bringing together over 800 peers to discuss key and emerging themes. This includes launching our AI network, supporting councils in the evolving and emerging challenges and opportunities of artificial intelligence. We also held our first Women in Tech event, celebrating and connecting women in the sector.
- We conducted 21 bespoke exercises in councils: Cyber 360s, Business Continuity Exercises and Incident Response Exercises.
- We submitted 4 consultation responses, and 4 policy briefs ensuring local government voices are shaping national cyber, digital and technology policies.
- We held 16 webinars across cyber, digital and technology themes.
- We delivered 10 training workshops.
- We created over 20 products supporting the secure digitalisation of councils and communities.
Looking into 2024, the LGA’s annual conference is back on the horizon, taking place 2-4 July 2024 in Harrogate, and the Innovation Zone will be returning. This exciting and dynamic space is designed to spotlight creative approaches to some of the biggest challenges faced by councils. Applications to be part of the Innovation Zone are now open, and some of the key areas of interest are projects related to Transformation, Peoples’ Services and Managing Demand, and Data Informed Decisions. See more information and how to apply here.
As we head into the Christmas period, I would like to take this opportunity first to thank my team and everyone we have worked with for their efforts in this area, and second to remind you of our year-round, 24/7 on call function, where we are on hand to provide non-technical support councils responding to cyber incidents. Please find the rota here, where you can find contact details for team members available, or email cyberanddigital@local.gov.uk.
Have a brilliant festive break, and we look forward to seeing you in the new year!
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Owen Pritchard
Head of Cyber, Digital and Technology
Local Government Association
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Leadership Essentials: Digitalisation – reflections from Leeds and upcoming sessions
Earlier this month, we were delighted to host a Leadership Essentials programme for councillors which helped them explore their role in supporting their council’s digitalisation journey. The programme was a great opportunity for elected members to network and hear notable practice taking place in other councils.
We heard case studies from Cllr Nazia Rehman who described the inspiring journey that Wigan have been on through the Wigan Deal which aims to build close partnerships with communities to improve public services. Cllr Matt Robinson also facilitated a session on leadership in a digital age including a dynamic exercise to encourage delegates to think of key actions they can take to champion digitalisation. One councillor reflected:
“The training was extremely worthwhile, provided useful content, and was an opportunity to discuss progress with peers from other authorities.”
We are hosting two more training programmes in the new year on the following dates.
- Wednesday 10 January – Thursday 11 January 2024 (Hammersmith, London)
- Saturday 20 January – Sunday 21 January 2024 (Warwick)
Accommodation and meals are fully subsidised. Please do share this with your elected members. Further details are available on our webpage and to register please email Grace.collins@local.gov.uk.
Building a Cyber Resilient Service – Children’s Services Report
We have launched our new guide, Building a Cyber Resilient Service: A Guide for Directors of Children’s Service. This aims to support Directors and their senior teams to review their cyber security and data management practices. The guide outlines protective strategies, how they work together, and what would be considered good or unsafe practice, so Directors can create a positive culture surrounding cyber security in their service and organisation. Read the full guide on our website and please share with relevant colleagues.
Gloucester City Council: Managing a Cyber Attack
We have produced a case study on the cyber-attack Gloucester City Council experienced in December 2021. This has brought the first-hand experiences of key staff to a timeline of the attack, its impact, the recovery process, the cost of the incident, and the lessons learnt by the council. The case study is available on our website.
LGA Cyber 360 – Volunteer Opportunity for Officers
We are pleased to share that we have a range of Cyber 360s in the new year and we are looking for volunteer council officers to join us.
This fantastic development opportunity will enable you to speak to a range of people and experience the strategy and environment of another council and develop your personal learning on cyber security best practice.
If you have a CISSP or CISM qualification, we are happy to contribute a supporting letter to help you towards meeting your annual mandatory CPD requirements.
The dates of the Cyber 360’s are:
South West Council (Virtual)
Day 1 - 7th February
Day 2 - 8th February
Day 3 - 9th February
East England Council (Virtual)
Day 1 - 14th February
Day 2 - 15th February
Day 3 - 16th February
Please email Daniella.Akinfenwa@local.gov.uk if you are interested or would like more information.
Local Government Women in Tech LinkedIn Group
This closed group is a space for ‘Local Government Women in Tech’ to connect and share opportunities, events, news and professional highlights. Please request to join on LinkedIn, and use the group to support each other’s achievements, to learn and develop - and to make visible the remarkable women changing the sector for the better across local government. The LGA launched its ‘Local Government Women in Tech Network’ at an inaugural event in November 2023. The event brought together women from across local government to connect, collaborate and celebrate their work in cyber, digital, data and technology. We hope you’ll find the Network, at any stage of your career, a useful resource and source of support and inspiration.
LGA & DSIT Webinar - Digital Connectivity in Housing - 24 January 2024, 10am-11:30am (Online)
This webinar will discuss some of the benefits of digital connectivity for housing providers, including increasing online access and providing connected services. It will also provide an insight into the challenges faced by both housing teams and operators when connecting housing stock and offer tips and insights for a collaborative approach. Please complete this booking form to register for the event and find out more on our website.
LGA AI Network
The next meeting of the AI network will take place on Thursday 25th January, 10-11:30, and we are thrilled to announce that we will be joined by Prof. Nigel Crook, Professor of AI and Robotics at Oxford Brookes University, and the Director of the Institute of Ethical AI.
Nigel will be joining the call to dispel some of the mystery of how AI works, giving colleagues an opportunity to "look under the hood" of AI enabled technologies, particularly generative AI and LLMs. In light of the need for 'explainability' within the rapid adoption of AI technologies, this will be a hugely valuable session, which will include a presentation and an opportunity for Q&A.
We will also have usual partner updates and a closed local government discussion on how features discussed impact sector implementation. If you are interested in joining, please email grace.perks@local.gov.uk.
Free Adult Social Care Digital and Data training, Tuesday 30 January and Wednesday 31 January 2024, 9.15am - 4.30pm
We are hosting a new free Adult Social Care digital and data training for Heads of Service, Directors, Assistant Directors and Service Managers.
Join us to hear insights from across the sector, including how councils are using data and machine learning to deliver preventative interventions that save money and improve outcomes and to understand the key foundations needed to ensure Return on Investment in relation to technology decisions. Please share with managers and directors working in Adult Social Care and Public Health. Further details including how to book are available on our webpage:
We will be also be delivering further training sessions for managers in Children’s Services, Planning, Public Health and Environmental services. Further details will be shared in due course.
Secure AI System Development: Guidelines for Local Government
AI brings with it great opportunity for local government; however, data security is a risk that needs to be considered and managed. The NCSC has published guidelines to serve as a reliable framework for developing AI systems that safeguard sensitive information, enabling efficient and secure public service delivery. Read more information on the NCSC website.
NCSC Cyber Incident Exercising Scheme
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has launched a new cyber incident exercising scheme designed to support organisations to test their response capabilities. The scheme provides a safe environment for organisations to test their response capabilities and enhance their cyber defences. Find out more on the NCSC website.
Star Blizzard's Ongoing Spear Phishing Campaigns
The NCSC has provided an update on the spear-phishing campaigns being conducted by the notorious Russia-based hacker group, known as Star Blizzard. According to the NCSC, these cybercriminals are persistently targeting organisations across various sectors, emphasising the need for heightened cybersecurity measures to safeguard against potential data breaches and financial losses. This advisory raises awareness of the spear-phishing techniques Star Blizzard uses to target individuals and organisations for information gathering activity. Please take this as a prompt to explore the variety of whole-workforce support and training available from both the NCSC and the LGA.
Socitm and APSE publish report into ‘The Power of Digital’
In the quest to enhance public services, Socitm and APSE (the Association for Public Service Excellence) explore the transformation potential of digital solutions. The latest research on "The Power of Digital" sheds light on innovative strategies employed by local authorities, enabling inclusive digital infrastructure and fostering citizen engagement. Discover the untapped potential of technology in revolutionising local communities. Access the full report on the APSE website.
Local Digital: Shine a Spotlight on your Council
The Council Spotlight blog post series provides councils with an opportunity to showcase their digital achievements and contributions to the Local Digital community.
Local Digital invite you to submit a project or programme of work that you think will interest and inspire other councils and will work with you to tell your story and share it with the community. Apply on the Local Digital website.
Information Commissioner’s Office Workshop on Privacy Enhancing Technologies (PETs), Tuesday 20th 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 on the ICO website.
Designing for Digital Inclusion in Healthcare (23rd to 25th January 2024)
Are you using or developing digital services for your customer or client groups? Do you struggle to know what to do to make it as easy as possible for them to use or access a digital version of your service?
The Good Things Foundation is hosting a seminar series in January to help you navigate all the guidance and best practice. The session will help you understand the barriers for certain groups, share learnings, case studies and examples of best practice from a number of VCSE Health and Wellbeing Alliance colleagues with expertise of engaging inclusion health groups and those that are digitally excluded. The aim is to help you build on their expertise rather than starting from scratch. Find more information about the events and register online.
Good Things Foundation Launch Public Sector Pioneers research with Liverpool University
The report provides insights into enablers and barriers for public sector organisations to support refurbishment and reuse of end-of-business-life tech to local or national services like Good Things' National Device Bank. The organisation is looking for other donors and asking councils: could you become a public sector pioneer?
Visit the Good Things Foundation's website and take the public sector pioneers pledge to explore how your organisation can meet its ESG goals whilst saving the planet and benefiting people who are digitally excluded. Good Things will support you and talk you through your next steps.
Cyber, Digital and Technology Team: cyberanddigital@local.gov.uk
For more information visit our Cyber and Digital hub
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