Industry Overview

Public sector cybersecurity in 2024

Given the level of damage that can be caused by a cyber-attack on public sector organisations, it’s no surprise that they’re an increasingly attractive target for cybercriminals. The highly sensitive information they collect and hold on millions of people must be protected, and operations cannot risk being disrupted.

public sector cybersecurity icon
Public Sector Cybersecurity

The public sector is facing a relentless wave of cyberattacks

The public sector faces escalating cyber threats, notably ransomware, which surged by 95% in Q3 of 2023.

LockBit ransomware tripled its attacks. Social engineering, including phishing and BEC, remains the primary breach method, accounting for 70-90% of incidents. Pretexting, a new form of social engineering, has nearly doubled since 2022.

Key challenges

Legacy systems

Relying on outdated technology and legacy systems, which often lack adequate security measures, are more vulnerable to cyberattacks due to their inability to receive timely updates and patches.

Limited resources

Budget constraints and limited resources block cybersecurity initiatives. This results in understaffed IT teams, outdated infrastructure, and poor investment in advanced tools and training programs.

Operational complexity

The vast scope and complexity of public sector operations, which involve managing sensitive data across multiple departments and agencies, create numerous entry points for cyber threats.

Public sector cybersecurity in numbers

What an attack could mean for institutions.

Number of people’s data compromised by ransomware attacks in 20235.3m
5.3m
The amount of sensitive data stolen from Barts Health NHS Trust7TB
7TB
LockBit ransom demand after disrupting Royal Mail services£80m
£80m
Number of police offers put at risk by Digital ID IT security breach67,000
67,000
How CloudGuard Can Help

Public sector cybersecurity solutions

CloudGuard is here to solve the cybersecurity challenges facing public sector organisations. Our ecosystem of public sector cybersecurity solutions, which includes round-the-clock managed SecOps, is capable of continuously analysing both legacy and emerging tech. By doing so, we improve security across departments and agencies, protecting the data of millions globally.

Proactive protection

24/7 Managed Security Operations

We often hear that cost is the biggest barrier to implementing effective, in-house cybersecurity. We want to change that. Introducing CloudGuard’s 24/7 Managed Security Operations – designed to keep costs down while offering unmatched protection.

By unifying all your security data into one place, we can detect, analyse, and respond to all alerts at machine speed thanks to our AI and automation-powered virtual SOC Analyst. Any incident or alert that can’t be automatically resolve is triaged to our UK-based Managed SOC team to provide that extra level of human critical thinking that can never be replaced.

By streamlining this process from hours to mere seconds, we significantly reduce the impact of threats, overcoming public sector cybersecurity challenges.

protect managed xdr icon
security posture assessment
Find your blind spots

Security Posture Assessment

Assessing public sector cybersecurity posture is vital given the escalating cyber threats they face.

Our comprehensive assessment looks at the complexities of managing sensitive data, navigating legacy systems, and securing emerging technologies. By pinpointing vulnerabilities and offering actionable insights, we help public sector companies to reduce risks and ensure compliance with strict regulations.

With our specialised knowledge, you can improve your security posture, protect critical information, and uphold trust among communities and stakeholders.

Expert advice

CISO Advisory Services

A great CISO plays a major role in protecting your business, but this isn’t always an option due to costs and talent shortages. CloudGuard’s experienced CISO-as-a-Service advisors can provide you with the guidance and support needed to improve your security posture.

From conducting comprehensive risk assessments to developing strategic cybersecurity roadmaps and advising on regulatory compliance, our CISO advisory service helps you to proactively identify and mitigate cyber risks, protect critical assets, and strengthen resilience against emerging threats.

ciso advisory services
Case study

CloudGuard’s MXDR Automates 98% of Amazon Filters Threat Responses

Amazon Filters lacked internal resources for cybersecurity in the face of rising threats. By teaming up with CloudGuard, they automated threat detection, analysis and response. In just 90 days, automation addressed 98% of alerts, resulting in a 52-day saving compared to manual methods. CloudGuard’s integration with Microsoft Sentinel provided real-time threat visibility and streamlined operations. With CloudGuard managing 1633 alert responses effortlessly, Amazon Filters can focus on what truly matters – growing their business.

1%
Automation Impact
1
Automations Executed
1
Alerts Managed
1
Days Saved vs Manual
Get in touch

Talk to us about public sector cybersecurity

CloudGuard protects public sector organisations with proactive cybersecurity services. Let’s talk about how we can help secure your business and reduce cyber risks.