In the UK, the National Cyber Security Centre
(NCSC) has detected more UK government
branded scams relating to COVID-19 than any
other subject.
The coronavirus pandemic has brought huge changes to the way we
work. Leaders across government have needed to take swift measures
to equip their staff with IT infrastructure to enable them to work
remotely. Staff have had to adapt to operating from different digital
platforms to virtually collaborate with their teams.
Although remote working has been instrumental in managing the
spread of the virus, it has also resulted in a spread of cybercriminal
activity, data loss, leaks and breaches.
Civil servants - and government data – are now all geographically
dispersed, moving across a vulnerable digital landscape, creating a
host of new risks and challenges.
An exponential increase of connected devices, cloud and online
services has also amplified the volume of data moving across a
complexity of networks. Government are being faced with a reduction
in control over IT usage, opening floodgates of opportunity for
malicious cyber actors to exploit the pandemic for their own gain.
It is not just cybercriminals that government leaders need to be aware
of, but also updating IT protocols and procedures for remote staff.
Ensuring business continuity whilst simultaneously protecting gaps in
security must now be at the top of government’s agenda.
This paper will reflect on the issues, challenges and opportunities
around making cyber security a priority in government. It will list a few
of the threats and vulnerabilities currently being experienced and will
also share best practice on how all levels of government can mitigate
security risks and proactively protect their networks, within a complex
threat landscape.
