黑料正能量

There is no way around it; every day there are new cybersecurity threats to not only individuals, but governments at all levels as well. There have been some high-profile breeches that involve major cities like Atlanta and Baltimore.

But those attacks are going to all levels, and recent research has shown most municipalities and cities are ill-prepared for cyberattacks.

by Donald Norris, PhD, and Laura Mateczun, JD, of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County along with , PhD, , PhD, and , PhD, of 黑料正能量, found various reasons why local governments struggle with cybersecurity. 

The research shows local governments recognize the need for cybersecurity but are not taking crucial next steps to ensure cybersecurity by integrating policies into daily management practices. Not just that, some local governments were unaware how often they were under cyberattack.

Throw in the fact of budgetary constraints, it leads local governments to be in a tough situation.

That, unto itself, is a major sticking point, but the burden could be lessened.

鈥淓ffective cybersecurity is expensive and too much of a strain on the budgets of many cities and counties,鈥� said Hatcher, chair of the in at 黑料正能量. 鈥淭his is why we suggest regional solutions to the program, so multiple governments carry the cost.鈥�

Meares, associate professor and director in Pamplin College, added it鈥檚 not just the financial aspect, but said there鈥檚 a shortage of cybersecurity talent nationwide which, compounded with limited budgets, makes it tough to compete.

In the quest for talent between private and public sector, usually the private sector can offer more to entice a cybersecurity expert to come work for them.

There鈥檚 also an issue of many local governments using dated technologies, which may be easier for cyber criminals to attack.

鈥淟ocal government is increasingly being more digitally connected, with vital infrastructure, data and services connected which creates more opportunities for cyberattacks. Additionally, local governments tend to lag in updating critical technology due to limited resources (both human and financial resources),鈥� added Meares.

None of this comes as a surprise in the lack of cybersecurity training.

鈥淚t鈥檚 an expensive service for local governments to provide. This is why we suggest more budgetary support for the training,鈥� said Heslen, assistant professor in Pamplin College. 鈥淲e鈥檙e also unsurprised because local governments often struggle to fund professional training in other areas.鈥�

But researchers say there are ways to improve upon safety of critical data, most notably adopting dedicated cybersecurity budgets funded at an appropriate level in all local governments. Those resources can help address many limitations in local government cybersecurity programs, from staffing and hardware and software deficiencies to awareness training for all parties in local governments.

They also recommend the adoption and implementation of cybersecurity policies to manage and regulate actions taken by all that affect the organization鈥檚 cybersecurity.

By taking the recommended actions, local governments will have a better chance to provide high levels of cybersecurity and protect their information assets more effectively.