Cyber Security Threats and Detection for Councils: Protecting the Integrity of Shared Services

Local councils across the UK are facing a severe cybersecurity crisis due to limited resources, staff shortages, and the rising complexity of cyber threats.

Many councils lack specialised expertise, making it challenging to effectively manage and respond to attacks. High alert volumes from cybersecurity tools often lead to fatigue, causing critical threats to be missed.

Budget constraints frequently prevent councils from maintaining a fully staffed, 24/7 Security Operations Centre (SOC). Additionally, a heavy reliance on shared services such as payroll and HR heightens the risk of disruptive cyber attacks, creating exploitable blind spots that are difficult to defend against.

How Severe Is the Growing Cyber Threat to Local Councils?

Recent data highlights the escalating cyber threats facing local councils:

• Cyberattacks on Sefton Council surged by 50% between March 2022 and 2023.
• Colchester City Council had over 7,000 user data records compromised in a 2022 breach of its third-party contractor, Capita.
• A 2022 ransomware attack on Leicester City Council led to the theft of 1.3 terabytes of data and disrupted critical services, including child protection and homelessness support.

What is the Impact of Cyber Attacks on Shared Services?

When cyberattacks hit shared services, the impact can be severe. Disruptions in payroll can strain employees financially. Interruptions in HR and legal services hinder personnel management. Delays in building control can affect construction and public safety, eroding trust in local governance.

What are the Economic Consequences of Cyber Attacks on Local Councils?

Cyber attacks on councils can have far-reaching economic impacts, including:

• Disruption of Essential Services: Interruptions in services like social care or public safety can lead to immediate hardships and compromise community safety.
• Financial Losses: Councils may face significant recovery costs, including IT repairs and potential ransom payments, which can strain already limited budgets.
• Erosion of Public Trust: Data breaches can damage public confidence, leading to reduced community engagement and potential impacts on local investment.
• Increased Cybersecurity Costs: The need for enhanced cybersecurity measures can divert funds from other critical services, creating long-term financial strain.

How to Identify and Mitigate Cybersecurity Risks in Local Government

To combat these risks, councils must take proactive steps to identify and mitigate potential cybersecurity threats:

• Invest in Modern IT Infrastructure: Upgrading IT systems and adopting cloud-based solutions can enhance security and reduce vulnerability.
• Implement Strong Access Controls: Multi-factor authentication and robust access controls can prevent unauthorised access to critical systems.
• Employee Training: Regular cybersecurity training can help staff recognise and avoid phishing and social engineering attacks.
• Regular Testing and Incident Response: Councils should routinely test their incident response plans to ensure they can effectively manage a cyberattack.
• Consider a Concierge Approach: A service like Arctic Wolf’s Concierge Security offers tailored security recommendations and guidance, streamlines alert management, and ensures 24/7 monitoring and support, even during off-hours, enhancing the council’s overall security posture.

How to Bridge the Cybersecurity Gap Cost-Effectively in Local Government

Councils often struggle to afford advanced cybersecurity tools like Microsoft Sentinel, which provides real-time threat detection. Limited budgets and a lack of skilled personnel can hinder the effective use of such tools, leaving councils vulnerable to cyber threats. Investing in specialised cybersecurity expertise and advanced threat detection tools is crucial for councils to enhance their security posture and protect their communities.

Navigating Alert Overload in Local Council Cybersecurity

Local councils face significant challenges in managing cybersecurity alerts. Internal teams, though resourceful, often lack the specialised expertise needed to handle the high volume of alerts from tools like SIEM systems. This flood of alerts can overwhelm staff, making it hard to distinguish between genuine threats and false positives, potentially leading to critical issues being overlooked. “Alert fatigue” can reduce response effectiveness, increasing vulnerability to cyber attacks and damaging public trust. To address this, councils should invest in specialised cybersecurity personnel, advanced threat detection tools, and ongoing staff training. Streamlining alert management with clear protocols can also improve prioritisation and response.

As cyber threats continue to evolve, local councils and government agencies must prioritise cybersecurity. By investing in modern infrastructure, training, and advanced tools, they can better protect their shared services and maintain public trust. The economic well-being of local communities depends on councils’ ability to safeguard their digital infrastructure against cyber threats.

Strengthening Public Sector Cybersecurity: How Trustco PLC and Arctic Wolf Partner to Protect Councils from Growing Cyber Threats

By acknowledging these issues and adopting strategic measures to improve alert management and response capabilities, councils can strengthen their cybersecurity defences and better protect their communities from escalating cyber threats.

To support these efforts, solutions like Arctic Wolf’s Managed Detection and Response (MDR) and Concierge Security services offer valuable assistance. With 24/7 monitoring, a dedicated team of security experts, and advanced threat detection capabilities, these services help councils manage and mitigate cyber risks effectively. The service provides a dedicated team of cybersecurity experts who act as an extension of the council’s internal team. Available on demand, the Concierge team offers tailored security recommendations and guidance, streamlines alert management, and ensures 24/7 monitoring and support, even during off-hours.

By leveraging such tools and expertise, councils can enhance their readiness against cyber threats, ensuring the safety and trust of the communities they serve.