The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology has announced that it has launched a new guide to ensure that communities around the country are able to continue to innovate, whilst also making sure that data is kept safe from cyber threats.
The guide, Secure Connected Places: Cyber Security Playbook, is helping to support communities as they look to become ‘smart cities’ or ‘connected places’ through improved digital innovation and cyber security. This kind of development allows communities to integrate information and communication technology, and the Internet of Things to utilise data as they look to enhance the services being provided for citizens.
Due to the size and nature of the data being collected, these places are at a high risk of being attacked by cyber criminals, which means that cyber security is essential. The Playbook that has been launched will help local authorities to protect themselves against threats that will come for the data that they hold. It will do so by addressing several key cyber security challenges that are faced by local authorities when they are deploying connected place technologies. These assets include guidance on conducting threat analysis, as well as resources on:
- Cyber security governance
- Risk management
- Procurement and supply chain management
Viscount Camrose, Minister for Cyber, AI, and Intellectual Property, said:
“Connected places offer enormous benefits for the entire country, not just through improved public spaces for our communities, but through new innovations which will unlock better-paid jobs and grow our economy.
“We are already world leaders in cyber security, as demonstrated through pioneering measures such as the Product Security Regime. It’s vital that this expertise carries over to the development of our connected places.
“This Playbook will help do exactly that – offering practical and accessible support to local authorities as we work collaboratively to grow secure and sustainable connected places across the UK.”
The playbook has been developed by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, alongside a group of local authorities around the country. These contributing authorities were:
- Bradford Metropolitan District Council
- Westminster City Council
- Dorset Council
- Merthyr Tydfil Borough Council
- The South London Partnership
- Perth and Kinross Council
