Cybersecurity and state experts talk about recent ransomware attacks

Noon Edition

Cyber-attacks on state and local governments increased from 2022 to 2023, according to the Center for Internet Security.

The FBI 2023 Internet Crimes Report said ransomware reports increased 18 percent from 2022 to 2023. Losses from the attacks totaled nearly $60 million.

Last month, Monroe County Government was hit by a ransomware attack, halting some local government operations.

Read more: Local governments fall prey to rise in ransomware attacks

The county immediately reported the incident to the Indiana Office of Technology as required by state law.

A ransomware attack also hit Clay County government in July. And Columbus experienced a data breach.

The 2020 State of Hoosier Cyber Security Study indicated municipalities’ concern of rising cyber-attacks.

Indiana is working to prevent cyber security incidents, passing comprehensive consumer privacy laws. The state adopted a Cyber Incident Reporting Law in 2021.

This week, we’ll talk about recent cyber security breaches in local government and strategies for prevention.

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Guests

Tracy Barnes, Indiana Office of Technology's Chief Information Officer and co-chair of the Indiana Executive Council on Cybersecurity

Becca McCuaig, Chief Legal Counsel for Accelerate Indiana Municipalities

Scott James Shackelford, Professor of Business Law and Ethics at the Indiana University Kelley School of Business