Cybersecurity researchers
reported
last week that Chinese hackers have breached the networks of six state governments since May. The news adds to the challenges facing state and local governments managing growing cybersecurity risks, including widespread ransomware attacks.
The biggest cyber risk facing state governments is ransomware attacks. This entails hackers seeking to extract ransom payments by compromising or encrypting sensitive data. Such hackers have successfully breached state and local government organizations in recent years. Between 2018 and 2020, nearly 250 government organizations were
victimized
by ransomware attacks. This cost them as much as $50 billion. Beyond the financial costs, these attacks can disrupt key government services, including public safety, and also put sensitive data at risk.
Congress and federal agencies have sought to help state and local governments manage the problem. Congress recently created a new
cybersecurity grant program
to award $1 billion over five years. This comes in addition to the billions provided annually by the Department of Homeland Security that can be used for cybersecurity. Congress also passed a law last year…
