London’s cyber weaknesses
As public sector organisations have become increasingly dependent on data, computer systems and services, they have also become subject to a growing variety of increasingly sophisticated security threats, including viruses, hackers and computer-assisted fraud. [1]
Cyber-attacks affecting public bodies like the NHS, [2] Electoral Commission [3] and local councils [4] have recently made headlines for the disruption to public services and the associated sensitive data breaches. On Monday, Transport for London (TfL) reported that it had been affected by a 'cyber security incident', the extent of which remains unknown at this stage.
In May, due to a rising trend of reported cyber incidents, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) called for all organisations to boost their cyber security and personal information they hold, amid the growing threat of cyber-attack.
The GLA Oversight Committee will meet tomorrow, in the first meeting of a two-part investigation, to discuss the broader context of cyber threats and challenges for public institutions in London and the UK.
The guests are:
- Gareth Miles - Head of Crime for National Fraud Intelligence Bureau, City of London Police
- Professor Madeline Carr - Professor of Global Politics and Cyber Security, UCL
- Dr Kovila Coopamootoo - Lecturer in Computer Science, Kings College London
The meeting will take place on Wednesday 4 September 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
- Raconteur, The race to secure an evolving public sector
- Sky News, NHS software provider faces £6m fine after hackers steal tens of thousands of medical records, 7 August 2024
- The Guardian, Online security lapses led to data of 40m UK voters being hacked says ICO, 30 July 2024
- BBC News, Hackney Council criticised by regulator over cyber attack, 17 July 2024
- 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.
For media enquiries, please contact Alison Bell on 07887 832 918 or at [email protected]. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer.