Cybersecurity

A new report examines the rise of pre-emptive bans on mandated human microchip implants, noting that 13 states have recently enacted such a ban, despite no companies currently requiring the technology.

The data breach last year by an outside entity resulted in the accessing of files that included Social Security numbers. Separately, hackers obtained the public assistance account information of more than 1 million people.

The federal agency disclosed Chinese state-sponsored bad actors had breached its network and gained access to unclassified documents. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson called the allegation “unwarranted and groundless.”

Welcome to the second installment of this comprehensive annual look at global cybersecurity industry predictions, forecasts, trends and outlook reports from the top security industry vendors, technology magazines, expert thought leaders and more.

The router maker TP-Link Systems, now based in Irvine, Calif., is no longer affiliated with TP-Link Technologies, the company founded in China in 1996. TP-Link has been subpoenaed by the U.S. Commerce Department.

Forty-eight states took part in a review, but only 22 reached or surpassed recommended minimum system security levels. Results for local governments showed they, too, have room for improvement.

As we end the first quarter of the 21st century, cybersecurity threats seem more daunting than ever. So what cyber trends, forecasts, themes, insights and predictions are on offer for the new year? Here’s your annual security industry prediction roundup for 2025.

Plus, North Carolina launched a new website to support digital inclusion, Massachusetts is investing in connecting public housing properties, CISA issued mobile communications guidance, and more.

The state Attorney General’s office sued Change Healthcare and two co-defendants over the alleged exposure of financial account details and protected health information of at least 575,000 Nebraskans.

Overseeing everything from state finances and human resources to property, real estate management and construction services, OMES is the backbone of Oklahoma. Spearheading a “whole-of-state” approach to essential services, OMES strives to increase efficiency, reduce financial and administrative overheads, and eliminate the duplication of effort, making it easier for the state’s agencies and affiliates to focus on their core missions.

2024 was a year with growing ransomware attacks, accelerating use of artificial intelligence (for good and evil), more deepfakes in online fraud and election threats being overstated, but Donald Trump becoming president-elect (again) is the top 2024 cyber story.

Now that November is behind us, let’s reflect on the important lessons from CISA’s Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience Month. This year’s theme — Resolve to be Resilient — reminded us that, as critical infrastructure, state and local agencies must prepare and invest now for the disruptions of tomorrow.

In a pivotal year, governments enacted AI laws, strengthened defenses, bridged the broadband gap, and prioritized accessible, user-friendly digital services. As 2025 nears, most jurisdictions still lack fully mature AI frameworks.

Artificial intelligence may have been the topic on many minds this year, but cybersecurity and risk management topped NASCIO’s annual list of the top 10 priorities for state CIOs. AI did, however, rise to second place this year.

The incident Dec. 1 downed computer and most phone systems at two hospitals in southeast Los Angeles County, and one in Los Angeles. Urgent care centers, doctors’ offices, and a home health and hospice agency were also compromised.

A so-called “man-in-the-middle” cyber attack last month compromised the city’s transfer of nearly half a million dollars to pay for excavation during a water infrastructure replacement project. The FBI is among agencies investigating.

John Toney, the state’s chief information security officer, has been appointed a visiting fellow by the National Security Institute. Through this position, he will learn from cyber execs, building his knowledge to better serve Vermonters.

As we wrap up 2024, two new reports suggest that Europe and leading African nations share many of the same cyber threats and potential cybersecurity solutions as their U.S. counterparts.