Urgent Call for Enhanced Cyber Resilience as UK Government Faces Severe Security Challenges
fahd.zafar • January 30, 2025
In a sobering report released by the National Audit Office (NAO), the UK government's cyber security posture has been revealed to have significant vulnerabilities, with the threat landscape advancing at an alarming pace. The findings highlight critical gaps in cyber resilience across multiple government departments, raising serious concerns about the protection of vital public services.
Critical Findings
The independent assessment conducted through the GovAssure scheme has uncovered troubling statistics:
- 58 critical government IT systems showed significant gaps in cyber resilience
- 228 'legacy' IT systems remain in use, with unknown vulnerability levels
- One in three cyber security roles in government are either vacant or filled by temporary staff
- More than 50% of cyber roles in several departments remain unfilled
- 70% of specialist security architects are temporary staff
Real-World Impact
The consequences of these vulnerabilities are already evident. Recent cyber attacks have demonstrated the devastating potential impact on public services:
- Two NHS foundation trusts were forced to postpone over 10,000 acute outpatient appointments and 1,700 elective procedures following a cyber attack in June 2024
- The British Library's cyber incident in October 2023 has already cost £600,000 in recovery efforts, with costs expected to rise significantly
Key Challenges
The government faces several obstacles in improving its cyber resilience:
- Severe skills shortages in cyber security roles
- Civil service recruitment processes and salary constraints hampering talent acquisition
- Insufficient coordination between departments
- Financial pressures leading to reduced scope in cyber resilience initiatives
- Inadequate funding for legacy IT system remediation
The Solution
As a proud supplier on the G-Cloud 14 Framework, Altiatech specialises in delivering comprehensive cyber security solutions to public sector organisations. Our expertise in Identity and Access Management (IAM), coupled with our proven track record in government implementations, positions us ideally to help address these critical challenges.
The time to act is now. If you're a government department or public sector organisation concerned about your cyber resilience:
- Contact our specialist team for a comprehensive cyber security assessment
- Learn about our tailored IAM solutions designed specifically for public sector requirements
- Leverage our G-Cloud 14 Framework presence for streamlined procurement
Don't wait for a cyber incident to expose vulnerabilities in your systems. Contact us today:
- Phone: 0330 332 5482
- Email: cyber@altia.tech
As a trusted partner to numerous government organisations, we're ready to help strengthen your cyber defences and protect vital public services.
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