Local government has continued to expand in the digital age far beyond traditional service delivery - county leaders must now be prepared to manage and communicate through complex, high-stakes emergencies like cyberattacks, which seem to have increased year after year.  County governments rely heavily on technology to deliver essential services and manage things like resident data, all while the financial, operational, and reputational risks of a ransomware attack grow more severe. That's where Ransomware Reality:…

Cyberattacks are no longer a question of if, but when. As threats escalate, so does the urgency for jurisdictions to strengthen defenses and prepare for the realities of disruption and recovery. Governments are often on the front lines of cybersecurity threats, managing vast amounts of sensitive data with limited resources. From police departments to tax systems to emergency communications, local government networks power critical public services that communities rely on every day. However, in recent…

As cyber threats grow more sophisticated and persistent, states like New York are increasing cybersecurity requirements, including for local governments. In a recent Government Technology article, New York has enacted a new law that aims to strengthen cybersecurity requirements for local governments and public authorities. Under the law, agencies must report cyber incidents within 72 hours and ransomware payments within 24 hours to the State’s Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services. It also mandates…