Cyber security threats remain 'strategic risk' to Surrey councils, report says

Surrey councils face cyber security risks described as a “significant strategic risk” in a report reviewed by Guildford Borough Council’s audit and risk committee next week. The document warns councils are “increasingly vulnerable” to attacks, including ransomware, data breaches and Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) incidents. It links the elevated danger to the growing volume and sophistication of threats, plus operational, financial and reputational consequences from a successful attack. The planned Surrey reorganisation—scrapping Surrey County Council and the 11 district councils to create new East and West Surrey Councils in spring next year—adds further complexity to local IT environments.