Cyberattacks Threaten Unprepared Virtual Schools
Remote learning means that schools and their students are spending more time online. Cybersecurity awareness needs to be a key piece of successful virtual classrooms.
States Experiment with Automation to Bolster Cybersecurity
A new pilot program overseen by Johns Hopkins University's Applied Physics Laboratory hopes to cut down on the time it takes for governments to respond to potential cyber threats by automating the process.
CISA, International Counterparts Highlight Mistakes Organizations Make After a Cyber Intrusion
A lot of what’s necessary to appropriately respond to a cyber incident should happen way in advance.
Talent Wanted: Four Ways State and Local Governments Can Solve the Cybersecurity Skills Shortage
COMMENTARY | Cybersecurity talent shortages have plagued state and local governments for years. There are four simple, yet effective, strategies to find and cultivate cybersecurity professionals.
Ransomware Attacks Demanding Larger Payouts from Local Governments
The average ransom demanded of a local government in a cyberattack grew from $30,000 to $380,000, according to one cybersecurity firm.
Mitigating the Cyber Threat to Retirement Systems
COMMENTARY | As retirement systems are a high-value target for cybercriminals, administrators need to implement security measures to bolster their cyber defenses.
Ohio Policy Aims to Detect Vulnerabilities in Election Websites
Elections officials and vendors are moving forward with plans to roll out vulnerability disclosure programs to help detect problems before the presidential election.
Schools Are a Cybersecurity Nightmare. What Can We Do About It?
COMMENTARY | Educational institutions are alarmingly vulnerable to cyberattack. With schools across the country moving to more distance learning, it's time to change that.
The Coronavirus Cyber Safety Challenge: 'New Opportunities for the Bad Guys'
COMMENTARY | State and local governments confront multiple technology security issues as they deal with proliferating attacks and a disease-transformed work environment.
Local Government's Still Open—Remotely
As Covid-19 takes hold in communities, local governments are transitioning staff members to telework—a first for many localities. And it's come with challenges, from slow broadband connections to a laptop shortage.
Ransomware Attacks Prompt Tough Question for Local Officials: To Pay or Not to Pay?
There were at least 113 successful ransomware attacks on state and local governments last year.
Our Blind Spot on Election Security
COMMENTARY | Election infrastructure is unprotected from a serious risk: the insider threat.
For Small County Governments, Tackling Cybersecurity Basics Can Go a Long Way
The local governments can face unique challenges when it comes to protecting their computer systems from threats.
With Cybercriminals on the Attack, States Help Cities Punch Back
As cybercriminals increase their attacks against local governments, some states are helping cities and counties better protect themselves.
FBI to Alert States About Local Election System Hacks
The FBI changed its policy to allow agents to inform both state and local election officials when election systems are breached.
States, Election Officials On Guard Over Iranian Cybersecurity Threat
Amid tension between the United States and Iran, state and local government officials are taking precautions to protect themselves from cyber warfare.
Local Election Officials Can Get Free Election Auditing Software from the Feds
The open-source software is already being piloted in at least six states and officials say it can help authenticate results in 2020.
Developing Dual Use Assets for Cybersecurity
Arkansas' chief information officer has a plan for addressing resource shortages in cybersecurity.
After Action Report: How Texas Responded to a Coordinated Cyber Attack
Texas chief information officer Todd Kimbriel describes how the state initiated its cyber incident response plan in the wake of a coordinated cyber ransomware attack on local governments.
Federal Lawmakers Push '.Gov' Web Addresses For Local Governments
A new U.S. Senate bill comes amid concerns that online criminals can “spoof” the public with fake government websites.
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