Safeguarding the UK Public Sector - Navigating Cyber Security Challenges

In the UK, we rely more heavily on technology than ever to keep us safe and free from cyber-attacks. As cyber threats have become increasingly sophisticated, we cannot emphasise the importance of cyber security enough. The government and the wider UK Public Sector have an enormous and challenging responsibility to protect data and sensitive information while maintaining the trust of its citizens. Especially when the Public Sector's de facto operating model of, "doing more with less", suggests a sense of creativity with the current resources available.

The clock is ticking

The National Cyber Strategy 2022 outlines the government's deadlines to be cyber secure by 2025 for critical functions and by 2030 for all public sector organisations to be resilient to known vulnerable areas. These deadlines indicate the urgency to resilience, but how can organisations achieve these ambitious targets given the ever-evolving digital landscape? 

Becoming cyber secure

Being strategic by embracing appropriate programmes/guides, mechanisms and partnerships is a step in the right direction. Public sector leaders can transform their digital landscape by leveraging the proper skill set, industry knowledge, and technology. 

The Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF) is the standard directed at improving government cyber security. Some organisations outside the government will also find the CAF guidance helpful, particularly those within the UK Critical National Infrastructure (CNI), those involved with Network and Information Systems (NIS) Regulations, and those managing cyber-related risks to public safety. And with GovAssure audits coming around the corner, these organisations have additional motivation to get things moving.  

The public sector heavily depends on many suppliers and vendors, resulting in a complex supply chain. Any vulnerability in the chain can lead to severe threats. Joining forces with a trustworthy partner with experience working alongside organisations such as the NHS and local councils will help identify red flags and implement processes to assess and manage risk within the supply chain. 

A balancing act – flexibility and resilience in the digital age 

An organisation's operation and systems must provide flexibility to function as a well-oiled machine. Case and point, Covid-19 and the need for agility. Take the flexibility of remote and new hybrid working models, for example. They have unique challenges as BYOD (bring your own device) has become more commonplace. Organisations need to understand how and when employees use their personal devices on the company network when carrying out their duties. 

To create resilience, organisations must incorporate robust processes and conduct regular security assessments. There needs to be more room for updated methods. Harnessing new technologies is the key to better efficiency and ultimately providing an improved service to the public. To this end, flexibility and resilience combined will ensure that in the event of a cyber-attack or systems failure, the recovery will be swift and damage kept at a minimum. 

Partner up and stay ahead of cyber threats

Cyber-resilience is the ability to prevent, detect, respond to and recover from incidents effectively. This requires a combination of technical controls, including incidence response and staff training. Utilising technology isn't just about data protection, penetration testing and information governance. It's also about working smarter to uncover new possibilities, minimise risk, achieve cost efficiencies and scale capabilities. The ultimate route to success is to stay ahead of cybercrime, protect systems and data from cyberattacks, and manage governance by finding the right partner with all the requisite qualities and experience. 

tmc3 - A cyber security partner for the digital era

Navigating the cyber security challenges in the public sector is easier when you have a cyber security partner to address chronic cyber talent shortages. While the above best practices will prove useful, you still need advanced skills like penetration testing to get more proactive in the modern threat landscape.

tmc3’s suite of security services helps public sector organisations thrive in the digital era. Our penetration test service leverages the skills of qualified security experts to assess your critical web applications, network, and infrastructure for security vulnerabilities. You also get clear and actionable reporting to strengthen resilience against cyber threats.

Contact us today to solve your cyber security challenges.