Welcome to the twentieth edition of the LGA’s Cyber, Digital and Technology Bulletin. As we enter the new financial year and are planning our 24/25 programme, I thought I’d highlight some of what we achieved together last financial year:
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Knowledge Explosion: 56 events (learning sessions, training, workshops) expanded your expertise.
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Resource Hub: 19 publications empowered informed decision-making.
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Network Growth: 32 meetings, including our new AI network, connected more than 1,000 officers for collaboration.
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Resilience Boost: 20 bespoke exercises honed cyber and emergency response preparedness.
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The Sector’s Voice: Shaped AI policy with 2 government consultations and 7 key roundtables.
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Data-Driven Advocacy: 3 surveys provided crucial insights on cyber costs, insurance, and AI adoption.
So thank you all for your help!!!
Recently, we have been working with Socitm, Solace, LOTI and iNetwork on a joint submission to the Public Accounts Committee call for evidence on the use of AI in government, and look forward to sharing this soon. And in the spirit of collaboration I’d like to thank colleagues who have this month taken part in roundtables either for the McPartland review of cyber security and economic growth, or to inform draft contract clauses to strengthen council supply chain cyber resilience.
Please reach out if you have any questions, and a reminder of our year-round on-call function, supporting councils with non-technical advice in response and recovery of cyber incidents, available 365 days a year.
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Owen Pritchard
Head of Cyber, Digital and Technology
Local Government Association
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Cyber Security Strategy Blueprint
We have published the first in a series of blueprints to support councils in reviewing and establishing their strategic and operational approach to managing their cyber defences and bolstering their resilience plans in the event of a cyber-attack. The first blueprint has been developed to assist councils in designing and updating cyber security strategies, with a focus on managing, detecting, defending against and minimising the impact of cyber incidents. All blueprints are being created in line with the National Cyber Security Centre’s (NCSC) Cyber Assessment Framework. You can find out more about these guidelines and principles to support your cyber security strategy development on our website.
How can planning help digital connectivity? Wednesday 8 May 2024, 10am-11:30am, virtual.
We are inviting planning officers and councillors with relevant portfolios to join us for a free online training event with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on digital connectivity.
Please share this with colleagues who would like to gain insights into the vital role of planning in progressing digital connectivity, understand the barriers to progress, and learn how operators and planning departments can work together more effectively to ensure that planning applications can be processed quickly.
Sign up for free.
LGA bespoke cyber support - current offers
If you’re also looking to strengthen cyber security within your council, we have bespoke exercises to empower you on all levels. We aim to provide individual councils with tailored advice, support and best practice through various exercises, coaching & 1-2-1 support. Over 30 councils have benefited from these exercises, and we would encourage you to express your interest to see how we can assist and tailor our offers to you.
We have slots available in the coming month for 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 Annual Conference and Exhibition (2-4 July, Harrogate, in person)
Join us in Harrogate where the LGA will be discussing the latest issues affecting local government. We are looking forward to several cyber and digital-focused sessions across the conference agenda, where we will also be recognising the emergence of AI in the sector over the past year, reflecting on key challenges and opportunities.
The conference is recommended for senior representatives working in local and central government as well as senior colleagues from other public sector bodies, charities and businesses. You can register to attend here.
Essex Centre for Data Analytics: Analytics in the real-world practical insights and applications
Showcasing examples from Essex County Council, Mid and South Essex ICS, and Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, this session demonstrates how data and analytics are being applied to help public sector organisations plan, predict and prioritise to stay one step ahead. This ‘DataTalk’, available to watch here, explores service-level examples of where data analytics can support delivery.
AgeUK publish research into digital exclusion and its impact on older people
‘Offline and Overlooked’, a new report from AgeUK, explores how the increased digitalisation of public services is impacting older people. Findings show that 4.7 million older people do not have the basic skills needed to use the internet successfully. This includes being unable to complete fundamental tasks like logging on to a device or connecting to a Wi-Fi network. This group faces an increasing risk of being excluded from daily life, and AgeUK has provided 6 key recommendations to support equal and fair access to essential services.
NCSC launches new cyber podcast series
This new series is an opportunity to deep dive into the ever-changing world of cyber security with insights, trends and expert commentary. Each podcast episode offers a comprehensive exploration of a specific topic, providing listeners with valuable knowledge and actionable advice, covering topical issues such as AI, passwords and ransomware. You can listen to the series here.
Local Digital Future Councils Pilot Insights: Common challenges to digital transformation in local government
Following the Future Council pilot, Local Digital has published the programme's insights. The pilot report highlights the key challenges faced by councils in adopting digital transformation, such as cultural resistance, limited resources, and procurement constraints. It also offers practical solutions and best practices for overcoming these obstacles, drawing on the experiences of participating councils.
The report highlights key challenges in the sector, around de-risked innovation, standards for change, and market difficulties. You can read the blog post and full report here.
Local Digital publish programme evaluation scoping study
The Local Digital team has shared details of a scoping study designed to assess the wider Local Digital programme. You can explore the methodologies used to evaluate the programme’s effectiveness, as conducted by PUBLIC, Socitm, Daintta and Perspective Economics. The final report is expected to be completed in April of 2025, and you can read an introduction to the study with some initial findings here.
Scaling data standards to support local government – new standards investment
Local Digital has launched its plans to confront the challenges of unconnected technology solutions and the benefits of open data standards. Through supporting continued work on existing standards; Open Referral UK and SAVVI, Local Digital will also be funding iStandUK to continue this work. The blog, available here, outlines a plan for introducing data standards by co-creating them with councils and suppliers.
DSIT & Home Office Cyber Security Breaches Survey findings
Stay informed on the latest cyber security trends with the Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2024. This report provides valuable insights into the impact of cyber security breaches on businesses and organisations. Learn about the latest threats and how to protect your sensitive data. You can access the full survey and stay ahead of potential cyber threats here.
Microsoft MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) negotiations
CCS (Crown Commercial Service) is currently negotiating the next Microsoft MOU which dictates pricing across the public sector apart from the NHS. Despite months of negotiations, the savings that Microsoft is offering are still not equal to the value of those contained within the current MOU. The current MOU, due to expire on 30 April, has been extended by six months until 31st October 2024.
Through Microsoft, CCS has data on the current Microsoft spend and scope of the spend in local government, however, needs more information on council plans for Microsoft and competitor spend in key products and services over the next 3 years to support its negotiating position.
The LGA, Socitm and Solace would greatly appreciate your contribution to this call for evidence to ensure that local government needs and priorities are being factored into CCS’s considerations – available here. This information will be aggregated and only shared with CCS to support their negotiating position. The LGA and CCS will also be developing a sector specific brief on the findings.
Please also note that in order to maximise the chance of reaching a successful conclusion and delivering savings for councils, CCS requests that councils defer procuring new products with Microsoft until negotiations are concluded, including Microsoft 365 Copilot.
If you are a Local Government Officer and haven’t yet received the CCS update briefings, please contact cyberanddigital@local.gov.uk.
GeoPlace Annual Conference 2024: Connecting People & Place, 21st May 2024, Manchester United Football Club
The GeoPlace Annual Conference returns, bringing together government, industry, and local authority experts. Explore how accurate address and street data is driving positive change.
- Learn from engaging speakers on topics like digital planning and a smoother home-moving process.
- Be inspired by the potential of 3D city models for urban development.
- Network with hundreds of geographic information specialists.
The event is targeted at transformation, connected places and data colleagues. Public sector places are free, and you can register here.
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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