Ransomware now encrypts so fast it ‘will burn the house down’
A new study found that ransomware can encrypt 54 GB in 43 minutes, an extremely limited window of mitigation, especially considering it takes about three days for compromises to be detected.
Local governments are attractive targets for hackers and are ill-prepared
Agencies often lack the resources to defend against a lengthy cyber conflict and are considered enticing targets for hackers looking to disrupt daily citizen services.
Ramping up cloud security with zero trust micro-segmentation
Micro-segmentation helps protect the country’s critical data and infrastructure, supports cloud-enabled innovation and digital transformation and keeps the public sector workforce productive.
5G and 6G networks to give first responders and smart city projects a boost, researchers say
But lower latency and the capacity to support more devices brings increased supply chain and cybersecurity risks.
Coastal Homebuyers are Ignoring Rising Flood Risks, Despite Clear Warnings and Rising Insurance Premiums
COMMENTARY | Part of the problem may be mortgage lenders and appraisers aren’t factoring in properties’ vulnerability to sea level rise, so risk isn't necessarily priced in to houses.
Health Worker Shortage Forces States to Scramble
The lack of these workers is so dire that at least 20 governors addressed the situation in their state of the state speeches, proposing a range of policy fixes.
Ideas to Counter a Thinning Workforce
A new report from a labor market data company offers some recommendations as retirements and other factors lead to employee shortages.
Soaring Road Construction Costs Could Nix Some State and Local Projects
Highway and street materials have increased 21% since last year due to hikes in petroleum-based and other products and truck and driver shortages.
New Senate Bill Aims to Improve Federal Coordination With States and Localities
The measure has bipartisan support, but similar efforts in recent years have fizzled. Will this push be different?
Facial recognition inappropriate for high-risk applications, experts say
Accuracy, privacy and transparency issues make facial recognition technology too risky for local agencies, according the University of Pittsburgh’s Institute for Cyber Law, Policy and Security.
State and Local Government Jobs Still Trailing Great Recession Lows
Even with billions in federal aid, the state and local workforce isn't bouncing back from the pandemic. Jobs held by many women and people of color are among those with the greatest declines, according to a new analysis.
Federal Pandemic Aid is Providing a Boost to City Housing Programs
City officials are tapping American Rescue Plan Act dollars to expand affordable housing and reduce homelessness, challenges that predate Covid-19 but that were also heightened by it.
The States With the Highest and Lowest Wage Gaps
While the gender-based wage gap in the U.S. has decreased in recent years, discrepancies remain, according to a report by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Ukraine War Puts US Cities, States on Cyber Alert
Local governments are seeing more phishing probes from Russia and Eastern Europe.
Health officials see bright future in poop surveillance
Using wastewater surveillance data, academics, private companies, public health departments and sewage plant operators are trying to track infectious diseases beyond COVID-19.
Ukraine war puts US cities, states on cyber alert
States are blocking Russian IP addresses and running through scenarios to streamline cyberattack response and network lockdown procedures.
An Emphasis on Brilliance Creates a Toxic Workplace Atmosphere That Discourages Women
COMMENTARY | A focus on raw intellectual talent may unintentionally create a cutthroat workplace. New research suggests women’s preference to avoid that environment may contribute to gender gaps in some fields.
Ransomware getting ahead of state, local governments, survey finds
While respondents acknowledge the growing threat from ransomware, most are unprepared to prevent or respond to it.
Apple Wallet goes live for ID verification at TSA checkpoint
Arizona is the first to integrate Apple’s biometric verification at airport security checkpoints.
The ‘Massive’ Task Awaiting State Medicaid Agencies
The end of a public health emergency would mean states losing hundreds of billions in funding for the health care program, and verifying whether millions of enrollees are still eligible.
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