Cybersecurity

The cyber threat intelligence (CTI) team at MS-ISAC observed increased cyber attacks against U.S. state, local, tribal and territorial (SLTT) government organizations. To counter these threats, the Center for Internet Security (CIS) has released MDBR+, a cloud-based secure web gateway service that proactively identifies and blocks network traffic from SLTTs and private hospitals to known malicious websites.

Yes, generative AI stole the show at RSA Conference 2023 in San Francisco last week. Here’s a roundup of the top news from the biggest cybersecurity conference in the world.

Especially in light of a CISA report last fall warning about cyber attacks against K-12 schools, a district in Washington state is implementing two-factor authentication and other security protocols.

Georgia is paying hackers thousands to break into a system that millions use to access assistance programs like food stamps and Medicaid, and they’ve already uncovered dozens of gaps, according to the state.

A team from Eastern Washington University won the National Centers of Academic Excellence "Cyber Games" in Tampa, Fla., bringing a simulated computer system online and defending it from a simulated cyber attack.

The federal agency, which is housed in the Department of Homeland Security, and allies released a guide to help communities plan for resiliency, defense and risk minimization when considering smart city initiatives.

After confirming earlier this month that an unauthorized party gained access to some data owned by the district, Rochester Public Schools in Minnesota told families last week that student data was not compromised.

The Enhancing K-12 Cybersecurity Act would give schools better access to cybersecurity resources and improve tracking of cyber attacks nationally, although some say it's a "drop in the bucket" compared to what's needed.

The California State Auditor issued a report this week criticizing the Department of Technology for failing to guide the state’s IT needs, failing to assess agencies’ information security systems, and failing to reduce risks to IT projects.

As many still advocate for a national privacy law, experts debate where to set guidelines on how police work with constituent data. The discussion isn’t as simple as personal privacy versus community safety.

The Lake County Board of Elections is considering whether to implement poll worker management software they purchased or break the contract with the software provider amid security concerns.

CIS, an East Greenbush-based nonprofit, works with the academic world as well as the public and private sectors to locate cyber threats, develop solutions and establish ongoing education on cybersecurity matters.

The Associated Press recently estimated that around two dozen U.S. lawmakers — all Democrats — still use the app from personal devices. Some have amassed sizable followings and use the app to communicate with constituents.

A cybersecurity expert found that a ransomware group had posted 150 gigabytes of accounting, education and business data from the university on the dark web, though university officials have yet to comment.

More than a week after shutting down its network due to unusual activity, a Minnesota school district is using distributed hot spots, resetting passwords and bringing phones and copiers back online.

Caught by surveillance video, text messages and emails, overwhelming evidence shows that supporters of then-President Donald Trump copied Georgia’s statewide voting software from an election office in early 2021.

While more than half of states have banned TikTok on state-owned devices and networks, some governors still use the platform — and some unofficial accounts use their names and photos. Is it a cybersecurity risk?

Cowlitz County has tightened its cybersecurity and payment policies after two losses of public funds, including $184,000 later recovered from a phishing scheme. The 2021 and 2022 incidents were reviewed in the county's annual accountability audit.