UK government cyber resilience: A critical call for additional support
Author: James Holton, Cyber Security Practice Director at Trustmarque
The recent National Audit Office (NAO) report on government cyber resilience highlights the need for additional funding and support in the United Kingdom’s digital defence infrastructure. As cyber threats evolve, the government is working diligently to protect critical systems and public services, but faces significant challenges. The findings underscore the importance of a more robust approach to cyber security, and at Trustmarque, we are dedicated to helping organisations effectively address these challenges.
Current state of cyber resilience
The 2024 assessment reveals areas for improvement across Whitehall’s technological landscape. Fifty-eight critical departmental IT systems have been identified as requiring enhanced security measures, presenting an opportunity for strengthening the government’s digital infrastructure.
Some system controls are in need of maturity enhancement. Asset management, protective monitoring, and incident response planning have been identified as areas for development, highlighting the need for additional resources and expertise.
The report also notes the presence of 228 legacy IT systems still in active use across government departments. These systems represent an area where additional support and modernization efforts could significantly improve the nation’s cyber defences.
Addressing the skills gap
The cyber security field faces a skills shortage, which is a challenge across many sectors. During 2023-24, government cyber security teams experienced staffing challenges, with many specialist roles remaining unfilled or occupied by temporary personnel. This situation underscores the need for innovative approaches to recruitment and retention in the public sector.
The evolving cyber threat landscape
The cyber threat to the UK government is advancing rapidly, requiring constant vigilance and adaptation. The increasing convergence of IT and operational technology (OT) environments has created a larger and more complex landscape that demands a new approach to managing risk across interconnected systems.
Impact on public services
Recent cyber incidents affecting NHS services and the British Library demonstrate the potential impact on public services and citizens’ lives. These events emphasize the importance of continued investment in proactive measures to secure critical infrastructure and prevent future disruptions.
Progress and future goals
The Government Cyber Security Strategy 2022–2030 demonstrates the commitment to improving cyber resilience. While progress has been made, the ambitious nature of the targets set for 2025 highlights the need for additional support and resources to accelerate improvements in cyber resilience.
Reimagining resilience
To address these challenges, a holistic approach to cyber resilience is necessary. This includes comprehensive asset management, adaptive monitoring, cross-departmental collaboration, skills development, and proactive risk assessment. Achieving these goals requires not only financial investment but also innovative partnerships and cutting-edge technologies.
Trustmarque and Armis: A strategic partnership for resilience
Trustmarque has partnered with Armis to deliver comprehensive solutions that address the UK’s most critical cyber security issues. Together, we provide enhanced visibility into IT ecosystems while addressing the growing complexity of connected assets across various environments.
Armis Centrix™, a leading cyber exposure management platform, offers complete visibility into connected assets without disrupting operations. By leveraging its Collective Asset Intelligence Engine, Armis enables organisations to build dynamic asset inventories and make informed security decisions.
Trustmarque complements Armis’s capabilities with over 20 years of experience in delivering end-to-end IT solutions across various sectors. Our UK-based managed services team provides round-the-clock support for threat detection, response planning, penetration testing, and compliance assurance.
Conclusion
The NAO report underscores the importance of continued investment and support in building cyber resilience for the UK government. With the right tools and partnerships in place, it is possible to address current challenges while preparing for future threats.
At Trustmarque and Armis, we are committed to empowering organisations with the technologies they need to protect their critical systems against an ever-evolving threat landscape. By combining our expertise in IT services with Armis’s advanced asset intelligence platform, we are helping organisations secure their infrastructures today while preparing for tomorrow’s challenges.
In this rapidly digitising world where public services depend on secure technology more than ever before, continued support and investment in cyber defences are crucial. Together with Armis, Trustmarque is dedicated to contributing to a safer digital future for all sectors across the UK.
