WIREDGOV

The 2019 Cyber Security Breaches Survey shows that 32% of businesses identified a cyber security attack in the last 12 months – down from 43% the previous year.

The reduction is partly due to the introduction of tough new data laws under the Data Protection Act and the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).  30% of businesses and 36% of charities have made changes to their cyber security policies & processes as a result of GDPR coming into force in May 2018.

However, of those businesses that did suffer attacks, the typical median number of breaches has risen from 4 in 2018 to 6 in 2019.  Therefore, businesses & charities suffering cyber attacks and breaches appear to be experiencing more attacks than in previous years.

Where a breach has resulted in a loss of data or assets, the average cost of a cyber attack on a business has gone up by more than £1,000 since 2018 to £4,180..  The most common breaches or attacks were phishing emails, followed by instances of others impersonating their organisation online, viruses or other malware including ransomware.

Business & charity leaders are being encouraged to download the free Cyber Security Guide for Small Businesses and free Cyber Security Guide for Small Charities to help make sure that they don’t fall victim to cyber attacks.

New data from the Diabetes Foot Care Profiles, published by PHE’s National Cardiovascular Intelligence Network, shows that the number of major lower limb amputations continues to rise.

The overall number of major amputations is increasing, as the number of people with diabetes rises, but the rate among people with diabetes is not significantly increasing.  The data also shows that while the risk of diabetes is higher in some ethnic groups, especially those from South Asia, the rate of major amputations caused by diabetes is greatest in white males.  The data also shows that there is significant variation in the risk of amputation across the country.

Type 2 diabetes is a preventable condition and even those living with the disease can make simple lifestyle changes that will help them stay well and even potentially reverse the disease.  To help reach more people at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes, the NHS Long Term Plan, launched in January, included a commitment to double the NHS DPP over the next 5 years.

New & expectant mothers across the country can now access specialist mental health care in the area where they live, NHS England announced last week.

The landmark rollout of specialist perinatal community services across the whole of England, means that mums and mums-to-be who are experiencing anxiety, depression or other forms of mental ill health should be able to access high quality care much closer to home.

One in Carillion? Next Steps to Improve Outsourcing - Blog posted by: Reform’s Rose Lasko-Skinner, 1 April 2019.

The Cabinet Office has recently published a new Outsourcing Playbook to improve the practice at central government level.  Despite this, criticism continues.  Last week, the Labour Party announced its intension to ban outsourcing services for vulnerable people under state protection, such as patients, prisoners, and benefit claimants.  Whilst a trade union has declared war on outsourcing after losing a court hearing over employment rights of outsourced workers.

The CBI commented ahead of the Government’s second gender pay gap reporting deadline for businesses.

Carolyn Fairbairn, CBI Director-General, said:  …….     “It’s also important to remember that businesses can’t close the gap by themselves.  Many of the causes lie outside the workplace including a lack of affordable, high-quality childcare and better careers advice.  Companies and Government working together remains the best way to deliver the long-term, lasting change that’s needed.”

Meanwhile the Institute of Economic Affairs highlight for the second time some of the problems with the pay gap reporting measures, which they claim does not provide like-for-like comparisons including:

• The government’s reporting measures do not take into account key differentials, such as job, background, education or degree level, age, or years of experience
• The measures do not distinguish between full-time workers and part-time workers

‘Remainers’ should start thinking more about what future EU Directives are going to impose on them and less about they think they might lose (but probably won’t in actuality!) with Brexit.

Last week saw an EU press release in which Commissioner for Justice, Consumers & Gender Equality Věra Jourová  said:  …… Security features of ID cards will be aligned with those of passports, as both types of travel documents will now contain a highly secure contactless chip with the holder's photo and fingerprints. Member States will start to issue the new ID cards in two years.  ID cards currently in circulation that do not conform to the new standards will have to be replaced within five or ten years, depending on their security level. There will be an exception for ID cards whose holders are over 70 years of age.

However, the PR went on to say:  The new rules do not oblige Member States to issue ID cards: they will continue to decide whether to make them voluntary or obligatory or not to issue ID cards at all.  Member States can maintain their national design features and e-government services.  However, all new ID cards will have to comply with the new security standards.

One wonders just how long any opt out will last given the pressure by the EC to have increased centralisation of security related documentation, a 10,000 European Border & Coast Guard and the European Public Prosecutor's Office!