Ransomware
Ransomware is a type of malware in which hackers access files and encrypt them, demanding payment to restore access. Coverage includes ransomware attacks on cities, states, schools and public utilities, as well as legislative efforts to curb the threat and set policy on how to respond.
By "shifting left," or moving testing as early in the app development process as possible, state and local cybersecurity teams can identify vulnerabilities and fix them before they become problems.
As ransomware attacks have continued to hit state and local organizations — and tech advancements like generative AI have continued apace — cyber experts predict evolving malicious tactics for 2024.
Long Beach Utilities Department CIO Paula Crowell was set to take over as Santa Monica’s CIO Dec. 18, but the far-reaching impacts of a November cyber attack prompted her to reconsider the transition.
Credit union solutions provider Ongoing Operations experienced a cyber incident in late November. About 60 credit unions are believed to be suffering a level of disruption as a result.
Recent cyber attacks against water infrastructure in western parts of the state have officials assessing risk exposure. In Delaware County, water companies say they’ve taken proactive steps to defend their systems.
The North Texas Municipal Water District, which supplies water to sprawling Collin County suburbs, is the latest target of a ransomware attack. The breach has not disrupted service to the more than 2 million customers in the area.
Two weeks after a ransomware attack, Huber Heights officials say the Income Tax Division is back online and the city's payroll was processed successfully last week. It is unclear if the attack exposed resident data.
A sophisticated foreign cyber attack disrupted courts across the state last month, jeopardizing sensitive information, the Kansas Supreme Court said this week. Officials are still evaluating the data the criminals stole.
Long Beach, Calif., continues to grapple with a Nov. 14 network security incident. It declared a local emergency on Nov. 17 and on Nov. 22 announced the restoration of a few services.
County officials say that there is no evidence that resident data was stolen in the October cyber attack. The nature and scope of the attack, and any possible impacts to county data, are still being investigated.
