Important Cybersecurity update for staff

To strengthen security and provide greater control over attendance at Microsoft Teams meetings, we will be changing the default Microsoft Teams meeting lobby settings.

Following this change, only users signed in with a North Ayrshire Council account will automatically bypass the meeting lobby. External participants, guests and third-party meeting assistants will be placed in the lobby and require admission by a meeting organiser or presenter before joining.

This change is being made to:

• improve security and reduce the risk of unauthorised access to meetings
• provide greater visibility and control over external attendees
• ensure meeting organisers are aware when external participants or automated meeting assistants attempt to join
• support the secure handling of Council information and discussions

What this means for you:

• internal North Ayrshire Council users will continue to join meetings as normal
• external attendees may experience a short delay while waiting in the lobby
• meeting organisers and presenters should monitor the lobby and admit legitimate attendees as required

The change has taken effect from today, Tuesday 18 August.

Published August 18, 2026