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Cyber Security Playbook for smart cities launched

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has launched a Cyber Security Playbook for secure connected places.

The new guide is intended to help UK communities innovate and build smart cities while keeping data safe from cyber threats.

The new resource offers practical and accessible support to improve the cyber security of connected places or smart cities across the UK.

Smart cities collect and analyse large amounts of data, this along with the interconnected systems and the potential impact of local services and infrastructure can make them attractive targets for hostile actors.

The Playbook has been created in collaboration with a group of local authorities including Bradford Metropolitan City Council, Westminster City Council, Dorset Council, Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, The South London Partnership and Perth and Kinross Council.

DSIT is now inviting applications from from local authorities to participate in the next phase of the project, beta testing the Playbook.

Minister for cyber, AI, and intellectual property, Viscount Camrose, said: "Connected places offer enormous benefits for the entire country, not just through improved public services for our communities, but through new innovations which will unlock better-paid jobs and grow our economy.

"We are already world leaders in cyber security, as demonstrated by through pioneering measures such as the Product Security Regime. It’s vital that this expertise carries over to the development of our connected places.

"This Playbook will help do exactly that – offering practical and accessible support to local authorities as we work collaboratively to grow secure and sustainable connected places across the UK."

Image by Pete Linforth from Pixabay

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