Whitepaper | Cybersecurity for local authorities: a challenge that can’t wait the smart city

The digital revolution has not spared public services. Over the last twenty years, the digital transformation of community infrastructures and public life, driven by widespread urbanisation and the explosion of information technologies, has extended the attack surface for local authorities and exposed them to major cybersecurity challenges. This period has seen the birth of the concept of the “smart city” or “smart region”, made more efficient by new technologies including a veritable ecosystem of connected objects. All of which promotes a better quality of life and better management of resources. Although the term “smart city” was initially used to describe a rather techno-centric concept, the expression has evolved over time to encompass legal, ecological and other aspects. Whether known as a “techno-city”, an “eco-city” or some other buzzword, and regardless of the reality behind this catch-all term, cyber issues are of key importance to every experiment.

Cities, inter-municipal areas, metropolitan areas, départements and regions – smart or otherwise – have particularly high exposure to cybersecurity risks on account of their wide-ranging responsibilities. This white paper sets out the challenges faced
by local authorities in ensuring that their digital transformation is a secure one, and the solutions and prospects for ensuring that they can continue to fulfil their public service mission in the future.

Download this cybersecurity whitepaper free of charge.