Security and resilience

The guidance and resources on this page are designed to help councils with ensuring cyber security risk is minimised, and they are as resilient to cyber attacks as possible, across networks, infrastructure and services – from the moment of first implementation to decommission.

Resources and support

• Cyber incident grab bag for local authorities – a tool designed to support councils through the early stages of responding to a serious cyber incident, and chart their course through to a sustainable recovery.
• Cyber security: 10 questions for a councillor (and any layperson) to ask – a list of 10 questions that you can use to better understand cyber security arrangements and how risk is being managed within your council.
• Cyber Unpacked – a series of short explainer videos on digital concepts, created to support officers and councillors who are digital newcomers.
• Embedding cyber resilience in local government supply chains – the LGA worked with PUBLIC and cyber security partner DAINTTA to develop online guidance to help councils embed greater cyber resilience in their procurement processes and supply chains.
• Digital Pathfinders Programme – a programme designed to support councils seeking to innovate and develop pioneering initiatives to advance digital inclusion, digital connectivity, and cyber security.
• Maximising security and compliance features from Microsoft 365 E3 license – tips on maximising existing cyber security features from our free webinar with Microsoft on 15 November 2022.
• Maximising security and compliance features from Microsoft 365 E5 license – tips on maximising existing cyber security features from our free webinar with Microsoft on 22 November 2022.

Publications

• 10 Questions on Cyber Security – a guide for councillors sitting on scrutiny committees and the officers who support them to understand how the council’s scrutiny function can review policies, practices and procedures relating to cyber security. It is also useful for cyber security professionals working in local government.
• A councillor’s guide to cyber security – a guide to types of cyber threat, what councils can do to protect and react, and key questions to ask.
• Cyber security and resilience blueprint series – a series of blueprints to support councils review and establish their strategic and operational approach to managing their cyber defences and bolstering their resilience plans in the event of a cyber-attack.
• Building a cyber resilient service: Guidance for directors of council services – a document which aims to support directors to develop proactive, protective strategies and capabilities to enhance the cyber resilience of your council services.

Case studies