Overview

• A report from the Commons Public Accounts Committee highlights that 28% of the public sector's IT systems are outdated, with some still running on unsupported software like Windows 3.1.
• MPs demand a full audit of government IT systems and detailed plans to address critical vulnerabilities, with 25% of legacy systems rated as high-risk.
• The government has committed to rolling out CHERI technology, which could prevent up to 70% of common cyberattacks, and plans to introduce a Cyber Security and Resilience Bill later this year.
• A significant skills gap persists, with one in three cybersecurity roles unfilled or reliant on costly contractors, as competitive private sector salaries draw away talent.
• Cyber incidents in the UK public sector have nearly doubled since 2019, with phishing and ransomware attacks accounting for 64% of reported cases.