Cyber Security

ASK:

Commit to supporting local government in its protection of data held online, by providing a relevant permanent funding stream to assist and supplement investment of this protection by councils already, noting the highly sensitive information held by the local government sector.

BACKGROUND:

CN acknowledges the difficulty and cost associated with ensuring the security of not only the personal data of ratepayers, but also the general integrity of CN’s online systems and protection of highly sensitive information including financial and planning related matters.

There is a planned analysis by the NSW Auditor General due to be reported within the next twelve months, but CN draws attention to and acknowledges the submission by LGNSW to the Parliamentary Inquiry into Cyber Security, and that Inquiry’s subsequent report.

Supports that Inquiry’s recommendations, particularly Recommendation 11 which reads as follows:

That the NSW Government: a) provide further financial support to local councils to enhance their cyber security capabilities b) develop a plan in consultation with Local Government NSW to ensure local councils meet the cyber security standards identified for NSW Government agencies.

It is important to note that all 128 councils across NSW do not have the same capacity to ensure the highest level of cyber security and any potential weakness may lead to a flow-on effect for the entire sector.