Cyber Security for thePublic Sector

The Cyber Threat Landscape Facing the UK Public Sector

UK Public Sector data highlights how widespread and persistent cyber threats have become, including for larger businesses.

• Around 43 % of UK businesses identified a cyber breach or attack in the last year, with larger businesses more likely to detect and report incidents. GOV.UK
• Phishing remains the most common form of cyber attack, affecting more than 85% of businesses that experienced a breach. GOV.UK
• UK businesses experienced an estimated 8.58 million cyber crimes across all types in the past 12 months, showing the scale of attempted and successful attacks. GOV.UK
• The average cost of cybercrime per business, excluding phishing-only incidents, was around £990, rising significantly when more serious incidents occurred. GOV.UK
• Larger businesses are more likely to experience disruptive incidents, including ransomware, data loss and extended system downtime. GOV.UK 

For Public Sector bodies, the consequences of cyber incidents can directly affect citizens, communities and critical services.

Key Cyber Risks in Public Sector Environments

Phishing and account compromise

Attackers frequently target staff with realistic emails designed to harvest credentials or deliver malware. A single compromised account can provide access to multiple systems.

Ransomware and service disruption

Ransomware can encrypt systems that support frontline services, internal operations or public-facing platforms. Even short periods of downtime can have a significant impact.

Data protection and confidentiality

Public Sector organisations hold sensitive personal and operational data. Unauthorised access or loss can lead to legal consequences and loss of public confidence.

Supply chain and partner exposure

Public sector delivery relies heavily on third-party suppliers. Weak security controls in partner organisations can introduce indirect risk.

Legacy systems and patching challenges

Older systems can be harder to secure and update, increasing exposure if vulnerabilities are not addressed consistently.

How We Support Cyber Security for the Public Sector

Our approach focuses on strengthening security while recognising the operational realities of Public Sector environments.

Risk Assessment and Security Review

We assess systems, access controls, data flows and governance to identify where risk is highest and where improvements will be most effective.

Identity and Access Management

Clear access controls and stronger authentication help ensure only authorised users can access sensitive systems and information.

Email and Threat Protection

We support measures that reduce phishing risk and improve staff awareness of common attack techniques.

Monitoring and Incident Response Support

Early visibility of unusual activity allows issues to be addressed before they escalate. We support a structured response to contain incidents and limit disruption.

Supporting Security Across the Public Sector Landscape

Many Public Sector organisations work closely with regulated professions and critical sectors. We also provide cyber security support aligned to environments such as:

• Cyber security for architects
• Cyber security for the construction industry
• Cyber security for accountants and financial advisors
• Cyber security for solicitors and law firms
• Cyber security for education

This allows for consistent security principles while reflecting sector-specific risks.