Wales is stepping up its game with a fantastic new plan to keep its local councils and fire crews safe from hackers.
Introducing CymruSOC, a groundbreaking initiative that marks the first of its kind in the UK, setting a new standard in cybersecurity.
The Welsh government, in a collaborative effort with Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, is spearheading CymruSOC. This partnership ensures the uninterrupted operation of crucial services, even in the face of potential cyber threats.
Cardiff’s Socura is leading the technological charge to safeguard the personal information of the majority of Welsh residents and 60,000 public sector workers and ensure their digital safety.
They plan to keep this going for three years and are starting to bring people on board right now.
Of the 22 local authorities in Wales, 18 are already on board with CymruSOC. The other four? They’re doing their own thing for now.
First Minister Vaughan Gething said: “We’ve all seen how much we depend on the internet, especially after the rough time we had with the pandemic. It’s a big part of learning, working, getting public services, and doing business. But the more we rely on it, the more we’re at risk of cyberattacks, which are getting trickier daily. CymruSOC is all about working together to defend against these threats. It’s a key piece of our Cyber Action Plan for Wales and a year in; we’re making solid progress in keeping public services safe and boosting our cyber defences.”
The team at Socura will be on the lookout 24/7 for nasty stuff like phishing and ransomware.
They’re also going to swap notes with the National Cyber Security Centre to stay ahead of new dangers.
Socura boss Andy Kays said, “CymruSOC is an awesome project, and we’re stoked to help keep Wales safe. By pooling our resources, every local authority in Wales, even the tiniest towns, will have top-notch security like the big companies. Local councils are super important throughout our lives – where you go for birth certificates, school applications, housing, and marriage licenses.”
He said that is why they’re such a juicy target for cyber crooks and even countries that want to stir up trouble.
“Our job is to make sure these essential services don’t get hit by data thieves or other disruptions, Kays said.
