The rise in public sector cyber attacks and what can be done
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.”
These attacks not only target the vast personal and financial data held by public entities but also disrupt essential services, posing serious risks to public safety and national security. Attackers, including state-sponsored groups and hacktivists, see the public sector as a valuable target for both financial gain and political leverage. Budget constraints further exacerbate these vulnerabilities, limiting cybersecurity investments and leaving systems outdated.
These factors, combined with inadequate cybersecurity training and a lack of segmented access controls, allow cybercriminals to exploit human error and system weaknesses, underscoring the need for enhanced resilience strategies.
- What lessons have been learned from recent large-scale attacks?
- Are the main barriers to successful cyber security strategies technical or cultural?
- What are the biggest cyber security threats currently facing public sector organisations?
- Does the GLA have the appropriate resources and crisis management plans in place to mitigate these risks?
- What would the consequences of a cyber attack on the GLA Group be for London?
- TfL Security
The GLA Oversight Committee will meet tomorrow, to discuss the broader context of cyber threats and challenges for public institutions in London and the UK.
The guests are:
- Dianne Tranmer - Executive Director of Corporate Resources and Business Improvement, GLA
- Vicky Ridley-Pearson - Director of Digital, GLA
- Shashi Verma - Chief Technology Officer, TfL
- Jules Gascoigne - Chief Information Security Officer, TfL
The meeting will take place on Wednesday 27 November from 10am, in the Chamber at City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, E16 1ZE.
Media and members of the public are invited to attend.
The meeting can also be viewed LIVE or later via webcast or YouTube.
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Notes to editors
- Read the agenda in full.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
- Emma Best AM, Chairman the GLA Oversight Committee, is available for interview.
- Find out more about the work of the GLA Oversight Committee.
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