Today is Halloween. Will you be guising tonight?
Did you also know that October is Cyber Security Awareness Month.
Just like trick-or-treating, phishing emails often come in disguise, trying to trick us with a treat that isn’t what it seems.
Phishing attacks have skyrocketed by 4,151% since the launch of ChatGPT in 2022 and 82.6% of phishing emails use AI technology in some form. Human error is still the main enabler for cyber breaches – according to a House of Commons research briefing. In May 2025, an estimated 95% of cyber-attacks succeeded because of human error. This includes ‘active’ errors such as opening malicious email attachments and ‘passive’ errors such as the use of weak passwords.
Recent high profile examples like the attacks on the Co-op and Marks and Spencer show the potential impact of these attacks. Local government is not immune, attacks on Glasgow and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar clearly demonstrate this.
M&S boss Stuart Machin confirmed the hackers got in through “social engineering” – when they pretend to be someone trustworthy and trick an employee into giving out passwords or login access.
This means that it is more important than ever for us all to stay vigilant and retain a healthy scepticism when things don’t look right. You can read more about phishing on MyCouncilWorks.
There is also lots of guidance on the Hub to help IT Guidance | The Hub
I normally don’t like to start thinking about Christmas until December, but some things need a bit or planning. A real high point for me is seeing your Christmas themed cards. So once again I am delighted to run a competition for colleagues, friends and families to submit their entries to be considered for my official Christmas e-card.
As usual there will be two chances to win as the Leader will also be making his own selection for his official Christmas e-card.
In addition to being the official card, I will happily fund a prize for the winners as a token of thanks. The only criteria is that the image must be taken in Argyll and Bute.
For inspiration, here’s the winner of last year’s competition. A fantastic image of the Arrochar Alps taken by Alison MacGillivray
Please submit your entries to chief.executive@argyll-bute.gov.uk by Monday 1 December.
Have a lovely weekend.
Pippa
Pippa Milne
Chief Executive
