Cybersecurity

After a ransomware attack last week caused the webhosting company Finalsite to shut down about 5,000 school websites, the company identified who hacked the system and how, and schools are waiting for details.

New Mexico's largest school district canceled all classes Thursday, possibly through Friday, after a cyber attack affected its student information system that tracks grades, absences and other student data.

Particularly in light of the new federal cybersecurity grant program, governments need to establish updated cyber response plans that go beyond short-term solutions and set agencies up to tackle future risks.

LA Secure, a new free app for riders of buses and trains across the Los Angeles Metro system alerts riders of malicious links, rogue Wi-Fi signals and other cybersecurity threats associated with using public transit Wi-Fi.

SolarWinds’ latest annual Public Sector Cybersecurity Survey glimpses into state and local government priorities, including a focus on access management and concerns over curiosity- and reputation-driven hacking.

Richland School District’s website is back up and running this week after a ransomware attack prompted the hosting company to shut down thousands of websites. District officials say no sensitive information was at risk.

Following its acquisition by HackerU last year, the cybersecurity education company Cybint is partnering with more than a dozen higher ed institutions across the U.S. to implement expedited workforce training programs.

Websites went offline last week after the college and K-12 digital communications and marketing platform was hit by a cyber attack. The firm said that there is no evidence that data was compromised in the attack.

The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority said phishing attempts — emails claiming to be from reputable companies seeking personal information such as passwords and credit card numbers — are the largest type of attack.

The Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority published a report showing that phishing attacks pose a significant threat to state utilities. Cyber training was highly recommended for all utility organizations.

The grant from the National Science Foundation will provide scholarships for 18 students to study computer science, math, biology, engineering technology or other subjects at the university over the next six years.

Bernalillo County, N.M., has filed an emergency notice in federal court because a ransomware attack made its detention center unable to comply with terms of a settlement agreement in a lawsuit over jail conditions.

Earlier this week, Florida CIO James Grant named Jeremy Rodgers chief information security officer of the Florida Digital Service. Rodgers brings 20-plus years of industry experience to the role.

A government program at the Allegheny County college will provide veterans left jobless by the pandemic with free education in over 20 fields including cybersecurity, data analytics and software development.

The effort comes from a recently enacted bill requiring the Office of Information Technology Services to notify state agencies of any data breaches and plans to remediate cyber attacks within 24 hours of discovery.

State Sen. Louis P. DiPalma is seeking more information about the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority data breach that allowed hackers to steal the personal information of thousands of state workers.

New Mexico’s most heavily populated county was hit with an apparent ransomware attack early Wednesday morning. Many systems are shut down, but public safety services remain in operation.

The Cyberspace Solarium Commission terminated in late December 2021, with members reportedly planning to form a nonprofit that will continue efforts to develop and promote cybersecurity policy.