Horror stores about ransomware have been impossible to avoid, because they just keep coming. Every month, it seems another website for a municipality, a school district, a library, a police department or some other public sector entity is invaded by computer code that locks out public officials from the essential services they provide.
Fortunately, there are ways to fight back.
360Civic is proud to announce the publication of Ransomware and Municipal Websites: A Prevention and Protection Strategy, a white paper that explains what ransomware is, how it works, and why it so frequently targets websites connected to state and local government.
The document, which is available for free on our website, also offers specific steps that can be taken to reduce the likelihood of a ransomware attack.
The Threat Continues to Grow
In just the past 12 months, the number of successful ransomware attacks has been staggering. Here are a few examples among dozens:
- Atlanta’s municipal computer systems: $51,000 ransom demand
- Baltimore’s 9-11 dispatch system: $20,000 in recovery costs
- Spring Hill, Tennessee: $100,000 to restore the city’s servers
- Rockport, Maine: $10,000 for system restoration, $25,000 to install security improvements after a ransomware attack
There’s Hope – And Help
The overwhelming majority of attempted breaches are successfully thwarted. Billions of instances of malicious traffic are blocked every year by city and state IT agencies. The problem is they just keep coming. As one network security expert commented, “We’re outgunned.”
Ransomware and Municipal Websites: A Prevention and Protection Strategy offers advice on how to protect municipal systems. However, we know that IT departments are sometimes over-extended already. That’s why many public sector entities are turning to outside security firms with the experience and resources to combat the ransomware threat.
360Civic also offers a ransomware protection service – get the details here.
Download Ransomware and Municipal Websites: A Prevention and Protection Strategy
