Mark Whitehead 06 February 2023

Councils still vulnerable to online attacks, MPs told

Councils still vulnerable to online attacks, MPs told  image
Image: Sashkin/Shutterstock.com.

Councils must get together with insurers to work out how to protect themselves against the risk of cyber attacks, a leading security expert has warned.

Ciaran Martin, founder of the GCHQ's National Cyber Security Centre, told MPs that local authorities across the country are still vulnerable to online attacks.

He told parliament's joint committee on the national security strategy that some councils cannot afford insurance cover to mitigate the risk and warned that taxpayers could end up paying the bill if something goes wrong.

Several councils have reported being victims of cyber attacks.

Last week Redcar and Cleveland Council leader Mary Lanigan told the committee that it had faced a ‘catastrophic’ attack with a ransom demand of several million pounds.

The council had no insurance to cover itself against the financial impact and had received a ‘clean bill of health’ for its IT security just two months before.

The council refused to pay the ransom and its website had to be rebuilt and work was needed to ensure that home-working was safe for staff during the coronavirus pandemic.

Following the attack an investigation by the National Crime Agency was launched alongside the National Cyber Security Centre and Cleveland police. Mr Martin said: ‘It would be good if central government, local government and the insurers could get together and see if they can work this out.’

He said that if ‘local authorities can't afford proper cover and something goes wrong then it's taxpayers – either local or national – who end up paying’.

To read more on cyber security check out The MJ's (£) feature, 'A cyber-resilient public sector needs investment'.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Casual Duty Managers (Sports Centres)

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£14.28 per hour plus 12.07% holiday relief pay al
Casual Duty Managers (Sports Centres)
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Community Support Worker - Centralised Safeguarding Triage

Essex County Council
£25395.00 - £32131.00 per annum + +26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Community Support Worker - Centralised Safeguarding TriagePermanent, Full Time£25,395 to £32,131 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Mechanical Engineer (Gas) - Harlow District Council

Essex County Council
Up to £450.0000 per day
Mechanical Engineer (Gas) Location, HarlowFull time, Temporary 6-12 Months £350.88 PAYE / £450.00 Umbrella Closing Date
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Principal Planner - Basildon Borough Council

Essex County Council
£50 - £55 per hour
Principal Planner - Basildon Borough Council Full-Time, Temporary 6 Months Contract 36.25 hours£50-£55 per hour Umbrella Closing Date
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Principal Systems Analyst Applications

Oxfordshire County Council
£46412 - £49282
The ICT Principal Systems Analyst will be the subject matter expert on the Children's Social Care and Early Help Applications. They will be aware of and will contribute to Application roadmap developments, keep abreast of legislative changes and customer Oxford
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council
Linkedin Banner