Two weeks left to respond to digital and cyber security fire standard consultation

In another step forward to professionalising the fire and rescue service, the Fire Standards Board for England has published a draft standard focused on the implementation and security of ICT to deliver prevention, protection and response to local communities.

Based on work by a group of range of subject experts drawn from fire and rescue services, the Home Office and the National Fire Chiefs Council Digital, Technology and Cyber Board, the draft Digital and Cyber Security Fire Standard is out for consultation, but only for two more weeks.

The draft standard sets out the expectations of fire and rescue services in terms of taking a strategic, value for money approach to its investment in ICT and digital skill development so that they can meet statutory responsibilities across prevention, protection and response.

It also covers digital skills and how a services uses, ‘cyber security appropriately, balancing the protection of ICT services, assets and data, while making sure that those who need to use ICT have the correct authorisation and permission to do their work.’ Monitoring and mitigating against changing cyber threats and business continuity are also included in the standard.

In a section on benefits, the draft includes reductions in the risk of data breach or data loss as well as enhancing the professionalism and improving the competence of staff to deliver services to the public.

To respond to the consultation, visit the Fire Standards Board consultation questionnaire. The consultation closes on 17 June.

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