Survey shows ransomware plagues public sector
More than half of public sector organisations globally were hit by ransomware last year, and on average they were struck twice, according to endpoint and network security company Sophos.
Its survey of more than 2,700 IT decision makers from mid-sized public and private sector organisations in 10 countries showed that 54% of public authorities had been inflicted with ransomware, the average cost of an attack being £369,600.
Healthcare was the sector most likely to suffer, with 76% of its respondents confirming they had been subject to attack, although it is also that with the highest level of anti-ransomware protection in place. This is potentially because cyber criminals perceive it to be a soft target.
DfT looks to redesign Blue Badge online form
The Department for Transport is setting up a team to develop a new online application form for Blue Badge disabled parking permits, along with the relevant local authority interface.
It is looking for a supplier to work with it on the project, that has already gone through discovery and alpha phases and is ready to go to beta. It has to be complete by the end of the year when the existing service expires.
About 1 million Blue Badge applications are made each year, with about 3 million current holders.
NHS Digital manager wins Women in IT award
Marta Raper, senior project manager at NHS Digital, has won the Editor’s Choice category at the Women in IT Awards.
The judges believed she had shown strong leadership in managing several critical and complex projects that ultimately brought huge benefits to patients and clinicians, and saved money for the NHS. She has been with NHS Digital since 2008.
Stockport takes iNetwork Award
Stockport Council’s digital transformation programme has earned it the iNetwork Effective Service Redesign and Reform Award, and the Partner Excellence Award for its collaboration with LookingLocal to create the BetterOff Stockport website.
The latter includes an online benefits calculator to enable users to find what they are entitled to, along with advice on claiming benefits and help in submitting application forms.
Image from iStock
