Key Points:

• Recent data breaches highlight vulnerabilities in local councils' digital infrastructure, leading to financial losses and erosion of public trust.
• Funding cuts have significantly impacted council budgets, hindering their ability to invest in resilient cybersecurity measures.
• The escalating cyber threats and diminishing resources emphasise the urgent need for innovative cybersecurity approaches within local government organisations.
• Metomic's Human Firewall strategy empowers organisations by proactively enhancing cybersecurity, reducing the risk of costly incidents, fostering security awareness among staff, and mitigating risks despite funding cuts.

How can local councils fortify cyber security amidst escalating cyber threats and budget squeezes?

Recent data breaches have sent shockwaves through local councils, highlighting the vulnerabilities in their digital infrastructure.

For instance, Hull City Council has found itself embroiled in a series of cyber attacks, with nine incidents reported over the past three years. Among these were five phishing attacks and one intrusion, culminating in financial losses totaling £30,000. 

Similarly, Cheshire and West Chester Council incurred the highest data breach bill, amounting to £185,000 since 2021. 

With a staggering total of 228 incidents recorded between 2021 and 2022, and an additional 195 incidents in 2022/23, the council grappled with the repercussions of compromised data security. And so far, 149 data breach incidents have been logged between 2023 – March 2024.

Councils up and down England are paying out a lot of money as a result of data breaches, and the figures available make for sobering reading. 

Breaches aren’t just expensive; they also erode public trust and confidence in council operations, raising significant concerns about the security of sensitive citizen data held by local authorities.

Funding Cuts and Escalating Cyber Threats

So… what’s going on? Why the massive payouts?

According to a study conducted by the Guardian of 13 years worth of data, there’s been a massive squeeze on council budgets since 2010, with some councils' core budgets shrinking by half. 

This isn’t just for cultural experiences and resources, like the arts, or libraries; infrastructure - which increasingly includes cyber security - also takes a hit, with 59% of senior leaders in UK councils saying that their approach to cyber security is outdated, and that they cannot afford a security breach. 

Cyber threats have never been more prevalent, yet local councils continue to face funding cuts, exacerbating the challenges of maintaining robust cybersecurity defences. 

As councils contend with the ramifications of budget cuts, the imperative for resilient cybersecurity measures becomes ever more pronounced. In an environment where every penny counts, the cost of a data breach can have profound implications for essential public services and the welfare of citizens.

Empowering Local Councils with the Human Firewall Strategy

So what can embattled organisations facing growing, evolving threats, and budgets slashed to the bone, do?

The answer is actually simpler than you may think. Empower your staff.

That’s precisely what Metomic's Human Firewall strategy does. 

It empowers employees to defend against cyber threats by integrating real-time notifications in SaaS applications. 

Through automation and continuous training, it fosters a culture of security awareness, making employees proactive guardians of sensitive data. 

If, say, you're an organisation feeling the pinch of an unprecedented budget squeeze, Metomic could significantly benefit you by:

• Proactively enhancing cybersecurity
• Reducing the risk of costly incidents
• Fostering security awareness among staff

And, finally: 

• Mitigating risks, despite funding cuts 

Conclusion

In light of the escalating cyber threats facing local councils, the need for proactive cyber security measures has never been more pressing. 

By heeding the lessons gleaned from past breaches and embracing innovative strategies such as the Human Firewall, councils can chart a course towards resilience in an era fraught with all manner of digital perils, such as phishing, ransomware, malware, and accidental data leaks. 

As protectors of sensitive citizen data and vital public services, local councils need to prioritise cyber security as a fundamental pillar of governance. 

Though of course, now, they have to be extra innovative, and learn how to (to use the much dreaded phrase) ‘...do more with less’.

Ready to find out more about the Human Firewall? Book a personalised demo or get in touch with our team today to learn how it all works.