3 days ago
How councils in Wales are boosting their cyber defences
The move comes amid a rise in digital threats targeting public services, which rely on secure IT systems to deliver critical support to communities.
Councillor Dimitri Batrouni, Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) spokesperson for digital and workforce, said: "Cyber resilience isn't a luxury – it's a necessity.
"As threats continue to evolve, councils need the tools and confidence to safeguard the systems that underpin the services people depend on."
The National Cyber Security Centre has reported a steady increase in attacks on the public sector, including phishing, ransomware, and supply chain incidents.
To address these risks, Welsh councils and fire and rescue services are using the Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF) to identify vulnerabilities and strengthen their cyber resilience.
The WLGA, in partnership with the Welsh Government, is supporting the rollout of the framework alongside other initiatives.
These include breach workshops, tabletop exercises, training videos, and CymruSOC, a centralised security operations centre that monitors and supports council cyber security.
Mr Batrouni said: "The Cyber Assessment Framework is a vital part of this effort.
"It helps councils understand their strengths and gaps and provides a structure for improvement."
