Defending the nation: Answering the cyber security challenge at the heart of modern government

That combination makes for an irresistible target. Nation-state attackers, hacktivists, cyber criminals, and even insider threats all see government systems as high-value opportunities. For CISOs in the line of fire, the mission isn’t just safeguarding networks – it’s protecting the fabric of modern society.

The threat landscape is more complex than ever. State-sponsored actors increasingly probe government networks and academic institutions for intelligence. Ransomware gangs see agencies, even local councils, as prime extortion targets, knowing disruption can bring public services to a halt – just look at a recent attack that disrupted three London councils!

Meanwhile, disinformation campaigns and attacks on electoral systems aim to undermine democratic confidence.

The stakes are uniquely high, and the margin for error is vanishingly small.

The troubling irony is that government networks can be some of the most difficult to secure. Agencies typically manage a raft of legacy systems, out-of-date applications, and network architectures built over decades. Modernisation efforts are underway, but progress is uneven. Some departments operate on cloud-native platforms; others still depend on software older than the staff running it.

This disparity creates an attack surface unlike any other – broad, inconsistent, deeply interconnected, and holding a treasure trove of sensitive, and therefore valuable, data.

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Balancing act

CISOs must balance two powerful pressures: maintaining continuity for essential public services and modernising those services at speed. Migrating to the cloud, adopting digital identity systems, and integrating cross-agency data platforms all introduce new vulnerabilities that require careful management.

Security cannot be an afterthought – citizen data, once compromised, cannot be unseen, unsold, or reclaimed. And trust is a fragile thing.

Identity and access management is one of the most urgent priorities. Governments handle enormous volumes of personal information and operate across dozens of agencies and jurisdictions. Ensuring only the right people access the right data at the right time is essential. Strong authentication, least-privilege access, continuous authorisation, and identity federation across agencies are foundational steps.

Everything old is… old

Legacy systems pose a unique challenge.

Many critical applications were built long before today’s threats even existed and cannot be easily patched or taken offline for extended maintenance. CISOs are increasingly turning to compensating controls – network segmentation, isolated environments, and continuous monitoring – to protect old systems while modernisation takes place. The goal is to reduce risk without breaking essential services.

Resilience planning is critical. Public-facing systems – from health benefits portals to tax platforms and emergency services – must stay operational even during active cyber attacks. Government CISOs must develop response plans that coordinate across departments, third-party providers, law enforcement, and executive leadership. Regular joint exercises help ensure that when an attack hits, agencies move as one.

Supply chain security is another pressure point. Government agencies depend on thousands of vendors – software suppliers, contractors, consultants, and infrastructure providers. Each one introduces potential risk. Zero trust principles, strict procurement requirements, and continuous vendor assessment are no longer optional.

A weak link anywhere is a weak link everywhere.

Accountability matters

Transparency and communication also play a distinctive role in government security.

While private companies may manage breaches internally, public agencies are accountable to citizens, ministers, and oversight bodies. Clear, timely communication is essential to maintaining trust – even when the news is unwelcome.

CISOs must master not just the technical response but the narrative.

Cyber security in government is inseparable from public trust. Citizens must feel confident that their information is safe, their services are reliable, and their institutions are resilient.

For government CISOs, the mission is profound. They are defending not just systems, but democracy, continuity, and the public good. In an era where digital governance is the norm, cybersecurity has become a cornerstone of national stability. The task is vast, the stakes are high, and the responsibility is immense – but so is the impact.