£1.5 million funding for council cyber efforts

The Local Government Association (LGA) has been awarded £1.5 million of Cabinet Office funding to help improve and enhance councils’ cyber security systems.

The will be used by the LGA to carry out a ‘stocktake’ of existing cyber security arrangements within all councils in England, sharing good practice among local authorities and more easily identifying those councils that require extra support.

Many councils are already investing in cyber security measures to block and isolate cyber attacks, including investment in implementing firewalls and scanning software, as well as employee training.

Paul Bettison, chairman of the LGA’s Improvement and Innovation Board, said: “Councils take cyber security extremely seriously, but as we have seen through recent attacks, there is a constant need to review and bolster cyber security defences where appropriate. Councils hold significant amounts of sensitive data which is why it is hugely important that we have the necessary protections in place. This funding will be used by the LGA to help councils share best practice and strengthen their ability to mitigate against cyber threats.”

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