Last week’s Autumn Budget, while not directly addressing cyber security, has significant implications for the public sector’s digital landscape. At Quorum Cyber, we’ve been analysing how the outlined £4.2 billion investment to improve public sector productivity will impact security needs. This investment presents both opportunities and challenges for cyber security teams working in the sector. Let’s delve into some of the key areas. 

NHS digital transformation

With £3.4 billion allocated to NHS digital initiatives, including the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) and electronic patient records, the need for robust cyber security measures is paramount. This is where specialised solutions to safeguard patients’ confidential health data are required. Services such as Quorum Cyber’s Clarity Data, a managed data security service, address these issues by helping organisations adhere to compliance rules and protect valuable data assets from being stolen, misplaced, or lost.  

An additional £2 billion has been set aside for NHS technology, which follows the £3.4 billion that was allocated earlier in the year, in the Conservative’s Spring Budget. This further investment should help to modernise infrastructure and improve overall efficiency within the NHS. 

Financial pressures

With finances continuing to be tight in local government, policing, and criminal justice, it’s important for these bodies to strengthen their cyber security posture and improve resilience. By partnering with an organisation such as Quorum Cyber, a department’s security teams are freed up to perform core, value-add work. Furthermore, Public Sector departments will save the expense of recruiting, training, and retaining their own security experts at a time when experienced professionals are in high demand.  

The projected 1% increase in day-to-day public spending above inflation could provide resources for cyber security investments. Quorum Cyber can help organisations maximise the impact of these investments through strategic security planning and implementation. 

Rising cyber threats and the government’s response

Incidents such as the ransomware attack on Synnovis in June 2024, which led to the theft of patient data managed by NHS England, and the cyber-attack on the British Library in October 2023, have underscored critical vulnerabilities in supply chains and infrastructure. And at the end of October 2024, Russian threat actor NoName 057 launched cyber-attacks against several councils in the UK. (You can download Quorum Cyber’s profile on NoName057.)  

The introduction of the Cyber Security & Resilience Bill demonstrates the government’s firm commitment to strengthening cyber defences across the full spectrum of the UK’s public services which keep the healthcare system and the economy running smoothly every day. 

Cyber security companies can play a crucial role in helping Public Sector organisations comply with the new regulations and implement robust security measures with:  

• Tailored security solutions that align with new budget realities 

• Expertise in securing digital transformation initiatives 

• Compliance support with new cyber security regulations  

• Advanced threat protection services, leveraging AI to combat evolving cyber threats. 

Secure your future

While the UK’s Autumn Budget doesn’t directly address cyber security spending, it does set the stage for increased digitalisation and potential vulnerabilities.  

Quorum Cyber has extensive expertise in supporting Public Sector organisations with the complexities of cyber security, especially as the digital landscape becomes increasingly complex.  

Explore and compare our managed security services or get in touch to find out how we can help your organisation.