Local Government

The Bellingham Public Library reported that a “limited number” of patrons were impacted by the recent cyber attack against the Whatcom County Library System. Officials say 735 patrons were affected.

Two recent department website redesigns — the San Diego Police Department and Homelessness Strategies and Solutions Department — were aimed at improving the user experience and access to critical service information.

Attackers who penetrate an organization can evade detection by using the victims’ own cloud-based services to conduct their data exfiltration and malware downloads. This is the latest evolution of living off the land attacks.

Texas-based Ryan, which sells tax services and software, is beefing up its government business while also making a bigger play for the Canadian market. The deal follows a similar acquisition in late 2021.

The controversial proposal to allow the Dayton Police Department to use license plate-reading technology was approved by a narrow margin this week. Opponents of the tech cite privacy as a main concern.

The town of Frederick, Colo., is currently investigating claims about a breach in their network. Officials are working with digital forensics experts to determine exactly if and how the community might be impacted.

The new partnership with the cybersecurity ratings provider comes as more counties face ransomware, data breach and election risks. The idea is to provide enough data in quick enough fashion to head off those risks.

The Ashtabula County Recorder's Office recently unveiled a new system that allows residents to submit documents to be recorded digitally, avoiding postage or an in-person trip to Jefferson.

Some members of the Grand Forks City Council are concerned about the challenges a shared electric scooters system in city limits could bring. Proponents have said scooters would give area students better mobility.

Using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Government Technology took a look at the way the workforce has changed over the past 10 years and since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Local governments across the world are beginning to put biomass to work in the form of biochar, which can be used in areas like agriculture and energy production, all while reducing carbon dioxide in the environment.

The official Twitter account for the city of Wichita was hacked Friday evening and steps are being taken to secure the account, according to city officials. The unauthorized access appeared to have come out of Turkey.

Mayor Ras J. Baraka has announced the launch of a website meant to help residents locate affordable housing options. The tool is part of the administration’s long-term goals related to equity in the city.

Clatsop, Ore., residents are being asked to take a short Internet speed test to help Faster Internet Oregon — a collaboration among economic development districts and other agencies — locate the service gaps.

The grand jury last month released its 2021-22 final report on the California county and its seven cities' cybersecurity defenses. The report identified nine defined expectations for cybersecurity that each agency should have in place.

Plus, Oklahoma is now hiring a state broadband director; Maryland has announced $127.6 million in new broadband grants; Cleveland, Ohio, allocated $25 million of federal funding to broadband support; and more.

The growing popularity of electric scooters prompted officials on the Charleston Public Safety Committee to reconsider longstanding prohibitions against the vehicles on public streets.

As affordable cyber insurance becomes more elusive, experts are reminding governments that insurance is only one piece of the puzzle and urging them to focus first on investing in cyber defenses.