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Lucas Ropek

Staff Writer

Lucas Ropek is a former staff writer for Government Technology.

Cybersecurity

America’s Love Affair with Paperless Voting Is Over. Here’s Why

Once heralded as the solution to most election woes, our affinity for the paperless voting technology has dimmed. Today, experts consider it one of the biggest liabilities, and favor a return to paper ballots.

March 24, 2020
· Lucas Ropek
Cybersecurity

Hackers Have Been Waiting for an Opportunity Like Coronavirus

Cybercriminals — both political and criminal — are using the global health crisis as an opportunity to target vulnerable organizations and individuals. Telework and general panic are making this mission easier.

March 18, 2020
· Lucas Ropek
Top 25 Doers, Dreamers & Drivers

Maria Thompson

Chief Risk Officer, North Carolina

March 17, 2020
· Lucas Ropek
Top 25 Doers, Dreamers & Drivers

Nancy Rainosek

Chief Information Security Officer, Texas

March 17, 2020
· Lucas Ropek
Cybersecurity

U.S. HHS Agency Targeted by Cyberattack Amid Coronavirus Crisis

While no data was lost or networks disabled, officials say the Sunday cyberattack seems to have been an effort to slow the Health and Human Services Department's response to the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic.

March 16, 2020
· Lucas Ropek
Budget & Finance

COVID-19: Federal Bill Would Provide State Election Support

Concerns that the novel coronavirus could hamper turnout for the presidential elections have prompted legislation that could provide $500 million in funding to close gaps and allow for mail-in and drop-off ballot options.

March 16, 2020
· Lucas Ropek
Policy

California Considers Mandating Cyberinsurance for Contractors

The bill, introduced in February, has the potential to create additional protections for sensitive state data, but there are still policy areas that might need fine tuning before the proposal goes further.

March 10, 2020
· Lucas Ropek
Cybersecurity

Governments Are Paying Increasingly High Ransoms, Study Says

A new report from Deloitte highlights the degree to which state and local governments are being targeted by ransomware attacks. These attacks prove profitable for hackers, who are increasingly having their demands met.

March 10, 2020
· Lucas Ropek
Policy

Washington Privacy Law Once Again Fails to Materialize

For the second time in two years, lawmakers in one of America's biggest technology centers have failed to put together a comprehensive consumer privacy law.

March 10, 2020
· Lucas Ropek
Cybersecurity

Ransomware Attack Hits North Carolina City, County Governments

Both the city and county of Durham were struck simultaneously late Friday, but pre-existing response plans allowed government officials to save their systems from a more catastrophic result, officials said.

March 09, 2020
· Lucas Ropek