Like many enterprises across the United Kingdom, local councils have been increasingly adopting a digital approach to the way they operate in the wake of the pandemic. Since March last year, many local authorities have pushed forward their plans for digital transformation, revolutionising the way they are able to serve members of the community.
By automating many administrative tasks, local government and council staff have been able to spend more time assisting people that require information or advice on more complicated issues. They have also been empowered to help people swiftly and safely during the outbreak by using the latest advances in technology.
While the benefits of using these innovative options are plentiful, digitalising operations comes with a necessity for strong cybersecurity protocols. In the next sections, we’ll examine some of the key cybersecurity challenges local authorities are facing.
Data protection
Local governments keep records that contain a vast amount of personal information on members of the community. They must also communicate and interact with people online, through emails and official chat platforms, with each correspondence also containing confidential information.
Due to the sensitive nature of the information that they use and retain, and the essential nature of the services they provide, local authorities are a prime target for cybercriminals. For this reason, perhaps the greatest challenge faced by local governments is data security.
All data, whether it is being stored or sent, must be protected against the possibility of a data breach and all systems safeguarded against an attack.
Usability
Overly complex cybersecurity solutions can be problematic. The two dangers of complicated systems are improper use and impacted workflow. If staff members find a system difficult to use, there is a chance that they will employ security options incorrectly, leaving data vulnerable. In more extreme cases, such features won’t be used at all.
Cybersecurity options that involve multiple steps to use can also slow down the way staff operate. They can make data difficult to access, hampering the way staff are able to work and negatively affecting the service they can offer to members of the community.
An easy-to-use option must be selected that does not impede in-house council teams in their duties.
A robust cybersecurity solution for local authorities
At Galaxkey, we have designed our most secure platform to suit the data compliance and cybersecurity requirements of governments and enterprises alike. It has been built with the user in mind and is exceptionally easy to deploy, with staff requiring only simple instruction to access powerful protection levels.
While simple to use, our solution offers powerful encryption capabilities that can ensure data is indecipherable by cybercriminals whether it is being held in data storage or being sent via email.
Our system also offers governments an extensive range of accountability tools, from notifications that alert staff of alterations made in documents to electronic signatures that can verify identities and track the passage of documents.
If you are a member of a local government or council or operate an enterprise that requires an advanced data security solution, contact our team today to experience a free two-week trial.
