Cyber security an increasing concern for the UK public sector – how should we respond?

Think of security as a lock on your front door. Just as a lock prevents unauthorised people from entering your home and accessing your belongings, security measures protect your digital information and systems from unauthorised access and threats. Just as you might use a sturdy lock, an alarm system, and perhaps even a guard dog to keep your home safe, cyber security uses various tools and practices such as firewalls, encryption, and anti-virus software to keep your data and networks secure. The goal is to create a safe environment where only trusted individuals can access what they need, and potential intruders are kept out.

In today’s digital age, cyber security has become a critical concern for the UK public sector. With the increasing reliance on digital infrastructure and online services, the threat of cyber-attacks has never been more significant. Dr Richard Horne, the newly appointed head of the Government Communications Headquarters National Cyber Security Centre, highlighted that “Increased dependence on technology is driving growth and transforming societies, creating exciting new opportunities. It also exposes us to greater cyber risks.[1]” This emphasises that although we shouldn’t halt our use of technology, we must understand the correlation of increased cyber risks, and therefore, measures to counter these risks.

The increased risk is not just caused by society's reliance on technology, according to Infosecurity Europe, “the UK public sector has been increasingly targeted by cybercriminals in 2024, often facing attacks like ransomware, phishing, and distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks… Attackers, including state-sponsored groups and hacktivists, see the public sector as a valuable target for financial gain and political leverage. Budget constraints further exacerbate these vulnerabilities, limiting cyber security investments and leaving systems outdated.[2]” This suggests that cyber-attacks on the UK public sector are on the rise and there are many causes which cannot be controlled or prevented.

The important message is then changing what we can control - cyber security investment and outdated systems. When public sector organisations create and put together their annual budget allocations, cyber security must be a priority. Cutting savings in this area could be costly in the long term if these organisations become victims of the increasingly frequent UK public sector cyber-attacks. Outdated systems were also highlighted as important factors that can be controlled, making the UK public sector not only high value but also an easy target for those with malicious intent. Outdated systems refer to both software and hardware that is not fit for modern security purposes, but another aspect of equal importance is outdated training. Being ‘well-equipped’ as an organisation is not just having the tools but having the knowledge and experience.

The risk of cyber-attacks across the UK public sector cannot be eradicated, with financial gain and political leverage often at the forefront of the cause. However, with an investment of both time and finance, public sector organisations can ensure their systems and employees are prepared to deal with such situations. On the 8th of January, it was announced that more than 30 projects across England and Northern Ireland will deliver targeted support to boost the UK’s cyber resilience, with the UK government beginning the year how all public sector organisations should mean to go on, with cyber security high on the list of priorities.[3]

If your organisation requires cyber security training, updated software requirements or anything cyber security related, then our range of Technology frameworks can offer quick and compliant support.

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