Why the focus on accounts and devices? Because they form the foundation of everything that your parliament does digitally. You almost certainly access sensitive information, communicate internally and externally, and save private information on them. Just consider members’ participation in plenary sessions, voting (including virtual), the legislative drafting processes, and communicating with staff members and the general public. Without secure accounts and devices, these crucial parliamentary operations and more can be put at risk. 

For example, if hackers are watching your keystrokes or listening to your microphone, private conversations with colleagues will be captured no matter how secure your messaging apps are. Or, if an adversary gains access to your parliament’s social media accounts, they could easily harm your reputation and credibility, undermining trust with the public. Therefore, it is essential as a parliament to ensure that everyone is taking some simple but effective steps to keep their devices and accounts secure. It is important to note that these recommendations include personal accounts and devices as well, as those are often easy targets for adversaries. Hackers will gladly go after the easiest target and break into a personal account or home computer if your members and staff are using them to communicate and access important information.