Skip to main content

User menu

  • Home
  • Post a Job
  • Register

Site Network

  • County News
  • School News
Home
  • News
    • Campaigns and Elections
    • Pension Reform
    • Comings and Goings
  • Local Policy Issues
    • Housing and Land Use
    • Infrastructure
    • Green
    • Health Care
    • Public Safety
    • Transportation
    • Transparency
    • Cybersecurity
    • admin
  • Jobs Board
  • Contact

Now Hiring?

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Hackers Are Using the Pandemic to Target Overwhelmed States and Cities

Hackers Are Using the Pandemic to Target Overwhelmed States and Cities

By Brittany M. on
  • facebook-f
  • twitter
  • envelope
  • print
2240

Local governments have seen an uptick in phishing attempts and other cybersecurity threats since the pandemic began. They’re now asking Congress for more resources to combat this growing crime.

Last month, a coalition of groups representing state and local governments sent a letter to House and Senate leaders. It read in part:

COVID-19 has required our workforces, educational systems and general way of life to quickly move remotely, exerting greater pressure on cybersecurity and IT professionals and increasing the risk of vulnerabilities and gaps to state and local networks. These gaps are exacerbated by systems requiring modernization that do not foster remote work, which also increases the risks to employees supporting these systems.

 

Likewise, increased traffic to unemployment portals and health insurance marketplaces has created additional risks as systems are being modified or created to handle the exponential increase in demand. This surge on our information technology infrastructure requires additional investment in both funding and manpower to keep up with the massive usage. Additionally, malicious cyber actors have used attention on COVID-19 to their advantage, further targeting government infrastructure, the healthcare sector, and individual citizens for internet crimes, such as ransomware, phishing, and computer-enabled financial fraud.

As such, we request Congress authorize and fully fund a dedicated cybersecurity program to help states, territories and localities develop and implement innovative and effective cybersecurity practices to include for remote work; help to build resources and human capital; better detect, analyze and protect against cyber threats; and help to enhance partnerships among different levels of government.

Cybersecurity funding did not make it into the $3 trillion stimulus package but advocates have not given up. There are several allies in Congress pushing for federal resources for states and cities.

“State and local governments have been critical in our fight against COVID-19, providing essential services that help combat the disease and deliver relief to the most vulnerable," one of those allies, Rep. John Katko (R-N.Y.), told the Hill. "At a time of unprecedented need for these services, we need to ensure governments have the necessary resources and guidance to protect against, and recover from cyber-attacks."

Tags
Featured
news
cybersecurity
Tech
Section
Cybersecurity
Brittany M.
Published 3 years ago
Last updated 3 years ago
2240
  • facebook-f
  • twitter
  • envelope
  • print
Sign Up for Our Awesome Newsletter

 

City Jobs

  • Deputy Clerk to the Board I/II or III
    County of Marin
  • Water Resources Manager
    San Joaquin County
  • Chief Animal Control Officer
    City of Sacramento
  • General Manager
    Incline Village General Improvement District
  • County Clerk and Recorder Legal Compliance Officer
    County of Ventura
  • Assistant General Manager – Finance & Risk Management
    City of Glendale
  • Development Services Director
    City of Colton
  • City Attorney
    City of Brentwood, CA
  • Deputy Director - SJGH Nursing Maternal/Child Services
    San Joaquin County - San Joaquin General Hospital
  • City Clerk
    City of Palo Alto, CA

Campaigns & Elections

Santa Ana Considers Allowing Noncitizens to Vote
Wednesday, September 20, 2023
Undocumented immigrants could be able to vote in Santa Ana municipal elections under a policy being…
Rancho Cordova to Adopt New Map for District Elections
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
The Rancho Cordova City Council will take a major step next week toward finalizing a district-based…
Oakland Sees Another Election Mix-Up Involving Candidates for School Board
Thursday, August 24, 2023
A city error that almost disqualified the only two candidates from Oakland Unified’s District 5…
Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln Running for Congress
Thursday, July 20, 2023
In 2020, Stockton experienced a huge political upset when the Republican pastor of a local church,…
Former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer Launches Bid to Unseat Terra Lawson-Remer
Tuesday, July 18, 2023
Former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer has announced his candidacy for the county’s Third District…

Comings & Goings

Santa Barbara County Sees More City Manager Retirements
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
At least two administrators from the Santa Barbara County area will vacate their positions this…
Laguna Beach Hires Interim City Manager
Thursday, September 7, 2023
Retired Irvine city manager Sean Joyce will take over as the interim city manager of Laguna Beach…
Manteca Hires New Director of Finance
Tuesday, September 5, 2023
The City of Manteca has hired a new finance director. Shay Narayan, who currently serves as budget…
City Manager Shohreh Dupuis Parts Ways With Laguna Beach
Monday, August 28, 2023
The City of Laguna Beach has announced a “mutually-agreed upon” separation with Shohreh Dupuis, who…
Benicia Taps Next City Manager
Tuesday, August 15, 2023
Benicia’s city council has promoted its interim city manager to the permanent role.  Mario…
Clear keys input element