A new report reveals the British government's vulnerability to cyberattacks due to reliance on outdated IT systems. Legacy systems lack crucial updates and skilled personnel, leaving them susceptible to exploitation. The report highlights the urgent need for modernization and investment in cybersecurity.
The British government is facing a significant challenge in securing its aging IT infrastructure against rapidly evolving cyber threats. A report by the National Audit Office (NAO), the UK's public spending watchdog, revealed that at least 228 government IT systems are classified as 'legacy,' meaning they are outdated and vulnerable to cyberattacks.
These systems lack critical updates, skilled maintenance personnel, and are often known to have security vulnerabilities, making them prime targets for hackers. The NAO's assessment highlighted the severe and escalating cyber threat to the British government, emphasizing the substantial gaps in its resilience against such attacks.The report drew parallels to the devastating ransomware attack on the British Library in 2023, where the reliance on legacy IT systems significantly amplified the impact of the cyberattack. The library incurred costs exceeding £600,000 within six months of the attack, and its consequences continue to be felt today. The NAO stressed that the government's digital infrastructure is suffering from age-related issues, much like the aging Palace of Westminster itself. Between September 2023 and August 2024, the National Cyber Security Centre managed 430 cyber incidents, with 89 classified as 'nationally significant.' The NAO identified 'highly capable state and state-aligned actors,' including China, Russia, and Iran, as employing increasingly sophisticated tactics for malicious cyber activities. A contributing factor to the sluggish progress in bolstering government IT defenses is a shortage of personnel, with one in three cybersecurity roles either vacant or filled by temporary staff. Departments cited recruitment challenges and inadequate salaries as major obstacles in attracting and retaining skilled cybersecurity professionals.The government acknowledged the NAO's findings, stating that many of the issues raised were also identified in the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology's review of the State of Digital Government. The government further announced plans to introduce a new Cyber Security and Resilience Bill to parliament later this year, aiming to enhance the resilience of British society, including critical infrastructure, against cyberattacks. The government emphasized its commitment to strengthening cyber defenses through legislative measures, regional cyber skills initiatives, and the consolidation of digital teams under the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology's leadership
CYBERSECURITY GOVERNMENT IT SYSTEMS LEGACY SYSTEMS THREATS UK
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