Oldham’s Liberal Democrat Leader councillor Howard Sykes MBE has warned council bosses of the increased risk councils face from cyber-attacks.
Councillor Sykes said, “Experts in cyber security have been telling us for some time that councils are at risk from cyber threats. Some councils have already fallen victim to attacks, resulting in the loss of cash and interrupting essential services to vulnerable residents.”
A freedom of information response made available to Oldham Liberal Democrats has revealed that there was an attempted cyber-attack against Oldham Council in 2020.
Councillor Sykes said: “The risk will only increase the longer the government and council bosses go without acting on these warnings.”
In January, MPs heard from victims of cyber-crime at a meeting of Parliaments’ joint committee on national security strategy. In some cases, local councils do not have – or cannot afford – the insurance that protects them in the event of a cyber-attack.
Councillor Sykes said, “We know we are at risk in Oldham, so council bosses must ensure the best protections are in place to guard both services and residents against the threat of cyber-crime. I have written to the Chief Executive of Oldham Council and hope he can reassure me all possible steps to protect the Council and its residents have been taken.”