New guide on cyber security for smart cities

Published during CYBERUK 2023, new guidance sets out cyber security best practices for creating connected places

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has released a joint guidance to help communities balance the cyber security risks involved with creating smart cities.

This collaborative guidance has been designed alongside agencies from the US, Australia, Canada and New Zealand to help ensure connected technologies are integrated into infrastructure in a way which protects systems and data.

The guide acknowledges that smart cities, or connected places, have the potential to offer communities cost savings and quality-of-living improvements, but notes these benefits must be balanced with the risks.

These risks include an expanded and interconnected attack surface, risks from the supply chain and vulnerabilities that can be introduced by automating infrastructure operations.

Organisations considering adopting smart city technologies are encouraged to consult this new guidance to understand the vulnerabilities and avoid exposing citizens, businesses, and communities to cyber risks.

Download the Cyber Security Best Practices for Smart Cities guide (PDF, 604K).

First published 3 May 2023