Local authorities in the UK perceive themselves to be vulnerable in the face of cyber attacks, particularly in the wake of the recent ransomware attack on the NHS, with just over half (53%) of local authorities claiming they are prepared to deal with a cyber attack, according to a new study carried out by PwC.

While the latest PwC Global CEO survey found that 76% of UK CEOs are concerned about cyber threats, The Local State We’re In revealed that only 35% of local authority leaders are confident that their staff are well equipped to deal with cyber threats. Demonstrating how real those threats are, almost all (97%) of UK CEOs surveyed say they are currently addressing cyber breaches affecting business information or critical systems.

A parallel study of consumers, which asked about the performance of their local authority, found that only a third (34%) of respondents trusted their council to manage and share their data and information appropriately while there was a growing appetite for council services to be available online.

The research also surveyed councils’ confidence in their ability to maintain existing levels of local service delivery. While the majority of councils (68%) were confident about maintaining service delivery over the next 12 months, a mere 1 in 6 (16%) believed they could make necessary cost savings while maintaining existing levels of services over the next five years.

Commenting on the findings overall, Jonathan House, PwC partner said: “As councils look ahead to the future there will be new risks to manage, from the shift away from the uncertainties of grant funding, to an ever more demanding public. The recent ransomware attacks, and other high-profile incidents impacting them show some of these challenges.

“However councils have proved before their resilience and ability to deal with any challenge they are faced with. The survey data suggest that Councils have taken cost out of their operations – now the challenge is to manage and grow their capabilities – to utilise technology as a force for growth and to deliver citizens’ expectations of a digital organisation.”