National Cyber Security Programme
We all know that Digital Public Services in the UK have been under constant cyber-attack. The UK Government has in place a National Cyber Security Strategy aimed at protecting UK Public Services from cyber-attacks. The National Cyber Security Programme (NCSP) is responsible for delivery of that strategy and is working with cross-government partners such as the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to improve cyber resilience across UK Public Services.
iNetwork is working on the NCSP along with Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG), Emergency Planning College (EPC), NCSC, and other key partners to help local service providers to recognise the seriousness of this challenge and help local service providers become more cyber secure.
As part of the first phase of this programme we have had held three Autumn Showcase Seminars in Birmingham, Manchester and Bristol which aimed to;
- Raise awareness about the NCSP
- Explain the role of key national strategic partners
- Increase understanding of the importance of Cyber Resilience in localities
- Provide guidance on developing a cyber-aware culture within organisations
- Offer guidance on where to go for further advice, training and support
The Autumn Showcase Seminar provided delegates with a view to develop a cyber-aware culture within their own organisations so that strong cyber resilience can be seen as not just an IT issue but a key part of the wider operating culture and an integral part of the corporate DNA. The seminars were successful and allowed delegates to engage and discuss with NCSP, MHCLG and Local Public Service Providers the challenges faced at the local level.
“These events are really useful in bringing together colleagues from cyber to raise awareness of their joint responsibilities”
Ryan James, Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council
“An event showcasing the key partners involved in cyber resilience, helping those involved within the LRF to identify information sources and guidance on cyber and the importance of a resilience plan should the worst happen”
Laura Cowie, Devon & Cornwall Police
“A great event from industry experts & leaders speaking about cyber security & resilience”
Hassan Ali, The Guinness Partnership
“Given first-hand information from NCSC, the help they offer & how to find it”
Gail Martin, University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Trust
From 2019 until spring 2020, the NCSP is rolling out a series of six training seminar modules. These will be held in the same regions as above and are also free to attend.
Cyber Pathfinder Training Scheme Exercises and seminars are designed to help participants think about the impact of cyber incidents on their organisational plans for multi-agency working under the Civil Contingencies Act. It will help them understand cyber related issues so that, working with their resilience partners, they can review existing emergency planning and develop effective organisational and multi-agency emergency planning for cyber related incidents. Use the links below to find out more and to book places
- Cyber Pathfinder Multi-Agency Exercises: which aims help to build a shared understanding of the implications for local multi-agency partners in responding to a significant cyber incident.
- Pathfinder One Seminars: Cyber Landscape, Guidance and Support will help participants navigate their way through the complexities of cyber security and cyber resilience.
- Pathfinder Two Seminars: Cyber Threats and Core Resilience will help participants to better understand cyber threats, vulnerabilities, attack methodologies and dependencies. Participants will also explore the core components required to build an effective cyber security and cyber resilience capability.
- Pathfinder Three seminars: People, Processes and Technology will help participants to better understand the core components around people, processes and technology necessary to develop a cyber resilience programme. Participants will also explore wants needed to raise cyber resilience awareness within their organisations.
- Pathfinder Four seminars: Resilience Preparedness and Planning will help delegates understand the differences between cyber incidents and other resilience planning, enabling them to plan for handling cyber incidents using existing resilience mechanisms and how to embed cyber resilience awareness raising tools and techniques with key internal and external stakeholders.
- Pathfinder Five will help participants to develop their understanding of the requirements for an effective incident management capability and explore issues relating to crisis management and communications during a cyber incident.
- Pathfinder Six will help participants to appreciate how existing business continuity planning can complement cyber resilience and improve their understanding of the requirements for effect recovery planning.
If you would like any further information about the National Cyber Programme Pathfinder scheme, please email the iNetwork lead: Louis.Stockwell@tameside.gov.uk.