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Digital Security

The use of digital platforms and social media is an effective way of engaging with the public, but exposes councillors to cyber threats, misinformation and online abuse, threats and harassment.

  1. Council provided devices have appropriate security features, including secure passwords, two-factor authentication, software updates and antivirus protection.  Filters in place that stop certain emails ever getting to your inbox, such as emails with malicious attachments and those that come from email accounts without security markers or that cannot be authenticated. 
  2. GCC provides extensive information security and compliance policies and learning that all staff and councillors complete.
  3. To protect your personal safety, it is recommended that a home address or personal email is not published or used for receiving letters.  Correspondence should come through the council to be forwarded.
  4. Councilors can be subject to regular and vexatious correspondence. It is possible to block a specific email address or to direct a resident to only contact a named contact. Always speak to Democratic Services about how you should deal with this scenario. 
  5. Councillors can, on rare occasions become the target of malicious emails and/or anonymous letters.  Such correspondents should be given immediately to the police and the incident reported to the council.
  6. Make use of website and apps privacy, safety and reporting functions (e.g. blocking, reporting abusive or offensive content etc.).
  7. The following guidance is available: