PKC gives cyber attack assurances

Prepared PKC says IT systems and cyber security are constantly monitored

- KATHRYN ANDERSON

Following several recent high-profile cyber attacks, councillors have been assured Perth and Kinross Council's Information Technology (IT) systems are monitored non-stop.

M&S, The Co-op and Harrods have all been recent victims of attacks and both West Lothian Council and Edinburgh City Council also appear to have been targeted last week.

And PKC itself has been subject to security and data breaches in the past - with a security breach in September last year resulting in a users personal data being leaked.

Information released in November also revealed PKC had seen a 77 per cent increase in data breaches in 2023/24.

At a meeting on Wednesday, May 8 Blairgowrie and Glens councillor Bob Brawn sought assurance PKC's digital systems were adequately protected.

The Conservative councillor pointed to the increased move towards digital technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI). He referenced the suspected ransomware cyber-attack on West Lothian Council, which hit the headlines the previous day.

Cllr Brawn asked: "As we're evolving more and more into a digital age, are we protecting our systems as we evolve?"