Free cybersecurity workshops launched to support parish and town councils

Parish and town councils are being invited to strengthen their cyber resilience through a series of free online workshops being delivered by the Parish Council Domain Helper Service, part of the Government Digital Service.

The virtual workshops are designed specifically for councillors and clerks. They focus on the practical steps parish and town councils can take to improve their day-to-day cybersecurity and reduce the risk of disruption, data loss and reputational damage.

The sessions will cover using strong passwords and password managers, protecting council systems from malware, backing up council data effectively, and identifying and avoiding phishing scams.

Cybercrime is an increasing risk for organisations of all sizes. Smaller parish and town councils are often targeted precisely because they may have fewer resources or less specialist support in place. Cyber criminals are typically opportunistic, exploiting weaknesses wherever they find them, rather than focusing solely on large organisations.

Good cybersecurity is also essential to maintaining public confidence. Parish and town councils hold sensitive information and deliver trusted local services. A cyber incident can have long-lasting consequences for reputation as well as operations. The workshops aim to provide a clear starting point, helping councils build confidence and take practical, achievable actions to improve their cyber security arrangements.

Parish and town councils interested in attending can sign up for one of the free workshops online. For further information or queries, contact the Parish Council Domain Helper Service at [email protected].