IT & Digital Services

Tackling the Digital Divide: Latest Government Guidance

We were honoured to welcome Rebecca Stephens, Deputy Director of Digital and Tech Policy, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, at our Digital Inclusion Conference. Watch the full speech above and hear how the government plans to tackle the digital divide with the latest guidance and policy.

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The Swift Response to the Transport for London Cyber Attack

The National Crime Agency (NCA) and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) are at the forefront of protecting the UK against the escalating threat of cybercrime, as demonstrated in their swift and decisive response to the recent cyber attack on Transport for London (TfL). Learn more at the Public Sector Cyber Security Conference.

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Protecting Digital Public Services from Evolving Cyber Threats

Local governments in the UK are increasingly relying on technology to deliver essential services and interact with their constituents. From managing public records to overseeing utility services, the digitalisation of these operations has brought numerous benefits in efficiency and accessibility. However, it has also introduced significant vulnerabilities, making cybersecurity a critical concern for local governments.

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Heightened Cyber Threat on the Voluntary Sector: Blackbaud Case

The current cyber threat to the voluntary sector in the UK remains significant, with a diverse range of threats facing these organisations. Recent reports indicate that approximately 14% of UK charities have experienced cybercrime in the past year. The Blackbaud data breach in 2020 underscored the critical importance of cyber security in the public sector.

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Coventry’s Leading Digital Inclusion Program: COV Connects

Laura Waller, the Digital Services and Inclusion Lead for Coventry City Council, joined us at our Digital Inclusion Conference 2024. Laura spearheads the COV Connects program which has made significant strides in addressing digital exclusion in Coventry.

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Protecting SMEs from Cybercrime: PCC Collaboration with the NEBRC

We welcomed Joy Allen, Police and Crime Commissioner for Durham, at the Digital Policing Conference 2024, who highlighted the pivotal role of collaborative efforts in protecting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from the growing threat of cybercrime. Her presentation focused on the innovative initiatives undertaken by the Northeast Business Resilience Centre (NEBRC), a key player within the National Cyber Resilience Centre network.

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The Growing Cyber Threat Landscape for UK Police Forces

Cybersecurity is a critical concern for law enforcement agencies worldwide. With the increasing prevalence of cyber threats, the UK police have significantly enhanced their capabilities to combat cybercrime and ensure the safety of digital infrastructures. Police forces have been dealing with an estimated 7.78 million cybercrimes in the last year (GOV).

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Preparing Students to be the Next Generation of Cyber Professionals

As the digital landscape evolves, the UK faces an urgent need to cultivate a new generation of cyber professionals. The public sector has a crucial role to play in this endeavour, particularly by engaging school students early on and preparing them for careers in cybersecurity and related STEM fields. This strategy is essential not just for filling the existing skills gap, but also for ensuring the nation's security and technological leadership in the coming decades.

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The NCA’s Central Role in Fighting Cybercrime & Ransomware

Cybercrime has emerged as a Tier One national security threat, with ransomware identified as one of the most significant and pervasive dangers facing nations and organisations alike. The UK has seen a substantial rise in ransomware incidents, with recorded attacks increasing by 55% in 2023, and continuing into 2024. The majority of these attacks have targeted critical sectors, including healthcare and manufacturing, which have become prime targets due to their reliance on essential services​.

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EU AI Act Article 10: New Implications for HR Managers

The HR recruitment market has been revolutionised by AI technologies, enhancing efficiency and candidate-job matching. However, issues such as algorithmic bias and transparency have raised concerns, leading to regulatory interventions like the EU AI Act. According to a report by PwC, 38% of organisations are already using AI in their HR functions, with an additional 62% expected to follow suit in the next few years

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Rising Cybersecurity Threat to Schools: Advice from the NCSC

71% of secondary schools reported experiencing a cyber security breach or attack in the past year. We welcomed a speaker from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) who shared strategies to prevent this kind of attack.

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CrowdStrike: 6 Crisis Management Lessons for the Public Sector

The CrowdStrike outage in July 2024 involved a significant disruption in their cybersecurity services, impacting various sectors reliant on their technology, including finance, healthcare, and government. This included 8.5 million Windows devices. This incident highlighted the critical need for thorough testing, robust crisis management, and effective communication to maintain trust and continuity in essential services. This article identifies key areas for public sector authorities to protect in their systems.

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