Cyber attacks have disrupted the online services of three Kent councils.
Canterbury City Council and Dover District Council said they were investigating “incidents”.
Thanet District Council said it had received reports of a “potential security incident”.
They said that access to parts of each council’s website may have been impacted by “precautions” taken after the attacks.
The councils are working with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).
The NCSC defines cyber incidents as a breach of a system’s security policy in line with the Computer Misuse Act.
‘Proactive decision’
Thanet District Council said it was currently limiting access to “a number” of its online systems and apologized for the inconvenience caused to users.
“This is a proactive decision following reports of a potential security incident,” it said in a statement.
“While we investigate, this precaution may affect some of our online services.”
Canterbury and Dover issued the same statement, saying they were “liaising closely” with experts at the NCSC.
“Our email system and website have been available throughout, although some parts of the website may not quite work as intended,” the statement said.
“We are sorry for any inconvenience people may have experienced over the past few days and will provide updates as and when we have them.”
A number of councils have faced cyber attacks in recent years, including Redcar and Cleveland, which admitted a 2020 breach cost it more than £7m.
Last year, Oldham Council said it was fighting off 10,000 attacks a day.
