Friday 10th March, 2023
Colchester City Council is facing a “very high” risk of a cyber attack according to a progress report to be presented at the Governance and Audit Committee meeting on March 13th.
The report notes the increasing frequency of national attacks. This includes one on Tendring DC in December 2021, as well as the ever-increasing sophistication of phishing attacks.
The report notes that the risk of a cyber attack is outside of the Council’s control. Plans are in place to mitigate against its effects. However, with the risk rated as “very high,” it remains to be seen whether those plans will be sufficient.
In addition to the risk of a cyber attack, the report highlights several other key strategic risks facing the Council.
These include the impact of decisions made by key partner organisations, Council funding for 2022/23, staff wellbeing, and the impacts of the cost of living crisis.
Of these risks, the report rates the impacts of the cost of living crisis and the potential for vulnerable residents to seek support from the Council as “very high.”
The report notes that the current and future impacts of the crisis are likely to increase financial inequality and the number of residents seeking support from the Council.
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