6 September 2022 (UPDATED 7 March 2023) – Working with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), Plexal has today begun accepting applications for local authorities to join a research project focused on the cyber security of connected places (also known as smart cities).
The government’s £2.6 billion National Cyber Strategy identified connected places as drivers for change in how we use technology and vital to the UK’s success as a cyber power. It is the government’s ambition that the UK be at the forefront of the secure and sustainable adoption of connected places technology. This initiative is part of DSIT’s policy development work to achieve this aim and help support local authorities to secure their connected places from cyber risks.
Prevention of attacks
Connected places leverage a combination of sensors, hardware, networks and applications to analyse and improve services and places from transport and air quality to infrastructure and utilities. This presents an opportunity to enhance the quality of living for citizens. However, without the necessary protection in place, the rich collaboration of technologies needed to operate connected places also makes them vulnerable to cyber attacks.
To help support local authorities, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has published the Connected Places Cyber Security Principles. The Principles are designed to help local authorities understand the security risks in building and managing their connected places.
Local authorities: Have your say
In joining our project, local authorities will receive support from Plexal and partners – including smart spaces specialist Configured Things and secure innovation advisor Daintta – to strengthen and maintain the cyber resilience of their connected places. Plexal will work closely with DSIT to support local authorities, regardless of size and connected places maturity.
Through workshops, focus groups and one-to-one support, we’ll empower the local authorities we work with to embed the NCSC’s Principles into the design and management of their connected places projects. Our findings will help inform the development of a user-friendly toolkit that will assist all local authorities when applying the Principles in practice.
Local authorities can express interest in joining the project and join our information virtual events at plexal.com/secure-connected-places
If you’ve got any questions, please get in touch with Plexal’s innovation team on connect@plexal.com
