There are over 90,000 small government entities in the U.S., and most of them have few cybersecurity measures in place. Thankfully Town Web has the tools to help your government safety online.
With the shift towards digital services, comes another challenge, creating a safe digital space for the community and keeping the online platform and its users safe. When it comes to local government work, it's crucial to make sure your town's online information is secure. With over 90,000 small government units in the U.S., many of them don't have strong protection against cyber threats. That's where Town Web comes in to help you keep your government safe online.
Studies show that a lot of these small government offices aren't well-prepared for cyber attacks. Surprisingly, some might not even know when they're being targeted. For those that can tell, about half say they face attacks every day. This highlights the urgent need for towns to have good defenses in place.
As cyber risks continue to rise for all industries, it's important for clerks to be on guard and shield their digital information. In today's tricky global environment, cyber attackers are more active than ever. This guide will explore the challenges towns face in staying safe online, offer practical tips for protection, and highlight how Town Web stands out as a top choice for boosting cybersecurity in local government settings.
When it comes to keeping local government data safe, it goes beyond just finances. Even if a cyberattack isn't about money, cities can still suffer huge costs to recover lost data, like what happened in Baltimore a few years back. Investing in better municipal cyber security may seem pricey upfront, but in the long run, it's an investment that helps save the municipality money.
Apart from the financial impact, cities could lose vital data forever, including financial records, billing info, and resident details. Small governments also store a lot of personal data like names, addresses, Social Security numbers, and medical records.
A data breach can harm the privacy and security of everyone in your area. Recovering from such incidents could be very expensive, but having a secure website is a crucial part of any cybersecurity plan. Town Web understands the tight resources of many municipalities and offers free, no obligation quotes to create a secure website that fits the needs of your town.
Many municipal clerks are not aware of the municipal cyber security risks they face due to limited funding and attention to this important issue. Frontline workers often find that top administrators are not focusing on cybersecurity practices. Additionally, a lot of cities lack well-trained staff to handle security training and information protection.
Even though information security workers have seen a big growth in the last decade, local municipalities still spend a very small percentage of their budget on cybersecurity, but smaller local governments still struggle to secure enough funds for strong defense. This leaves many of the 90,000 small government bodies in the U.S. without a clear cybersecurity plan, online security upgrades, or proper employee guidelines.
As a result, cyber-attacks, breaches, and financial losses continue to be common. To make things better, municipal clerks need to better understand cyber risks, get more funding, and form dedicated teams to manage cybersecurity challenges effectively. By investing in these key areas, local governments can boost their defenses and better protect against cyber threats.
Town officials know how hard it is to keep online information safe with limited resources. It's a tough balance between having an easy-to-use town website and protecting private data from online threats, especially when relying on outside companies for services like water and electricity.
For towns lacking cybersecurity expertise, working with companies to improve online security can be overwhelming. That's where Town Web steps in. As your partner to provide secure and user-friendly website solutions tailored for towns needing assistance in this area. By teaming up with Town Web, town officials can strengthen their cybersecurity while offering a smooth online experience for residents.
With Town Web, town officials can trust that their online security is in good hands. Partnering with Town Web ensures that town digital systems are defended against online threats. This partnership offers peace of mind by providing secure, compliant and easy to use web services designed for towns with limited resources.
Cybersecurity is important for everyone, from top leaders to everyday planning. Even small changes can make a big difference in keeping your town or local government safe from cyber threats. If there's no municipal cyber security in place yet, there are easy strategies to reduce the risk of successful cyber attacks. In 2022, 98% of states and 83% of cities remarked that they’ll need more cybersecurity staff in the next couple of years.
It is crucial for leaders to be involved. Often, lower-ranking staff members complain that executives are not aware of potential threats. If high-ranking officials actively participate, the rest of the team will likely follow their lead.
Elected officials should implement the following measures to enhance cybersecurity within local government:
To all municipal clerks out there, cybersecurity matters! Tailor a plan that fits your community's needs—it's essential. Dive into the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) framework. It's a must-read for everyone in local government, no matter your role.
This framework helps you assess your current cybersecurity status, set goals, and track progress. It guides you through creating key policies for:
By following this framework, you can strengthen your cybersecurity defenses and protect your community's vital operations.
Hey, municipal clerks! It's crucial for each one of us to take responsibility and get savvy with municipal cyber security. Besides broad policies, it's essential for all employees to receive basic cyber-safety training. Don't worry if your area lacks training resources—turn to the wealth of free information available online to cultivate strong cyber habits. Knowing the types of attacks you might face is the key.
Here are some sneaky tactics hackers use to breach municipal networks:
Leverage this knowledge to fortify your cyber defenses and stay one step ahead of potential threats. Your cyber-safety matters!
Once hackers gain control of your network, they could install a malicious program to take it over. These programs, usually called malware, allow hackers to encrypt data on your network and block access, sometimes permanently.
Ransomware is a type of malicious program that locks down your whole system until you pay up. These attacks often target local government offices. While the ransom demands are usually less than what it costs to recover data, those who pay up often end up losing their information forever. Huber Heights, Ohio had a ransomware attack at the end of 2023 and over 6000 people’s information were compromised.
Stay alert, protect your information, and outsmart anyone trying to hold your data hostage.
Keeping our community safe from online threats is vital, and as municipal clerks, your role is essential in making it happen. The NIST framework advises following these five steps to create a strong cybersecurity plan for your office:
Following these simple steps will help you protect your community, keep operations running smoothly, and prevent potential cyber disasters. Stay alert, stay safe.
To make your local government work better, you can adapt the five key functions to fit your needs. Even if money is tight, there are ways to overcome resource constraints. Start by finding a qualified Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) to lead the charge. If there's no cash for a new hire, consider assigning someone on your current team.
Team up with nearby towns, schools, and universities to share costs and knowledge. They might offer support or solutions that can help. The National Guard has experienced cybersecurity units that could provide guidance.
Consider partnering with outside organizations, like Town Web, to enhance municipal cyber security. While some may worry about sharing data with others, outsourcing can be a solid way to boost security while managing resources effectively. We're here at Town Web to help create a cybersecurity plan that works for your local government.
It's no secret that government entities are prime targets for cyber attacks. Municipalities often face challenges like lack of support from leadership, employee training gaps, and insufficient planning. However, there are solutions to safeguard your organization and citizens.
Begin by securing your website with Town Web. Our team will work closely with you to create a hack-resistant site and develop a cybersecurity strategy while working within your budget. Your staff will appreciate our user-friendly platform, residents will find the website attractive and easy to use, and all involved can rest assured that their data is protected.
