Agenda item

Alison Whitney, Deputy Director of the National Cyber Security Centre will give a presentation on cyber security.

Siobhan Coughlan, Programme Manager, introduced the item, updating members on the progress made against the Productivity Programme for 2017/18. She advised the board that work was being carried out to ensure the right systems were in place to protect councils from cyber threats. A range of tools and assets were being developed as part of this work. She emphasised that it was important for councils to protect themselves against the theft of saleable data on the black market. A recent report had highlighted that the number of cyber-attacks had doubled, and councils were advised to appoint a senior corporate director and councillor to hold responsibility for this area, and to add this area to risk registers. The LGA had set up a stakeholder group to help address this issue.

Cllr Ron Woodley also gave an update on the Data and Transparency Programme.

In the discussion which followed, members made the following points:

·         A system which could test viruses would be welcomed to help address this issue. Members were advised that a programme called web checker was being developed to check websites for threats.

·         Members requested that the presentation was circulated to members.

·         Members highlighted that procurement of insurance would present large costs for all in the sector. They were advised that the LGA was producing a piece of work on this issue, which would be circulated to members imminently.

·         There was a discussion around the challenges facing councils on inclusivity of residents who were still not online.

·         It was emphasised that there should be more training available for members to ensure they knew how to respond to an attack.

·         There was a discussion on the economic impact of Brexit, and members asked whether the Government had shared any documents about the specific impact on local government. Members were advised that a Brexit discussion would take place at the next board meeting.

Decision

1.    The board noted the updates and progress on the Productivity Programme.

Actions

1.    The presentation to be circulated to members.

2.    LGA work on procurement of insurance to be shared with members.