Email Security for Local Government: Stopping Phishing, Spoofing and BEC
Email is responsible for the majority of successful cyber attacks on UK local authorities — phishing campaigns that steal credentials, malicious attachments that deploy ransomware, and business email compromise that redirects payments. Yet many councils still rely on basic email filtering that misses sophisticated attacks. Implementing layered email security is one of the highest-impact investments a council can make.
Email phishing is the primary entry vector for the majority of ransomware attacks on UK local authorities — advanced email filtering blocks attacks before they reach staff inboxes.
Core Email Security Controls for Councils
Effective council email security requires multiple layers:
- DMARC, SPF, and DKIM — preventing attackers from spoofing council email domains
- Advanced email filtering with sandboxing — detonating malicious attachments in a safe environment
- Safe links — scanning all URLs at time of click, not just at delivery
- Impersonation protection — detecting emails pretending to be council senior staff
- External email warnings — clear banners on emails originating outside the council
- Email encryption — protecting sensitive resident data in transit
DMARC: The Foundation of Council Email Security
DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting and Conformance) prevents attackers from sending emails that appear to come from your council's domain. Without DMARC at enforcement (p=reject), anyone can send emails impersonating your council — targeting residents, suppliers, and partner organisations. The NCSC recommends DMARC enforcement for all public sector email domains, and the government's Mail Check service allows councils to monitor their email authentication posture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Microsoft 365 include sufficient email security for councils?
Microsoft 365 includes basic email security features, but the standard licence does not include the advanced threat protection capabilities councils need. Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Plan 2 adds sandboxing, safe links, and attack simulation — but many councils running standard M365 licences are missing these protections. Third-party email security solutions can add these capabilities to any email platform.
Upgrade your council's email security
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