(Created by the team that provides cyber security for Fortune 1000 companies, international banking institutions and US government agencies, Upstart Cyber now provides the same elite and powerful cyber security solutions, tools and training to municipalities of all sizes throughout Oregon | Photo Courtesy of Upstart Cyber)
Disturbing Trends
According to data collected by SearchSecurity, a national cyber security information think tank, early 2022 saw substantial ransomware and related attacks against municipalities and critical infrastructure: In January, there were 41 such attacks, in February: 27, in March: 31 and the trend continues.
A Case In Point
In May of 2022, the town of Quincy in southwest Illinois was hit hard by a ransomware attack. The city of 40,000 experienced the worst cyber attacks the community had ever seen. Phone and internet services went down, online payment processing was cripple and residents’ information was at risk, voting records were exposed and more. The perpetuators demanded a crypto currency payment of $500,000.00 to restore services and data. Quincy refused to pay. The cost so far to rebuild: $600,000.00. While city services slowly return to normal, the Police Department is has reverted to writing paper tickets, the city is still unable to take credit card payments, and many employees still lack access to email.
Far Reaching Implications
Cyberattacks on local governments have become so commonplace that municipalities are being advised to disclose cybersecurity risks in municipal bond offering documents. According to S&P Global Ratings, a cyberattack could result in a lower a municipal credit rating. While S&P has yet to downgrade municipal credit because of a cyberattack, analysts view cyberthreats as similar to natural disasters or other catastrophic events, where the duration and severity of the event could have a subsequent impact on credit rating. Much like disaster planning, analysts have begun questioning municipalities about their cybersecurity defenses and assessing their preparedness for a cyberattack or data breach.
A Proactive Approach
Because local governments maintain sensitive personally identifiable information, they have a fiduciary duty to safeguard that information. As large-scale data breaches continue to make headlines, local governments must make cyber security a priority. Any city or town, regardless of size, is at risk for a cyber attack. To keep pace with the constantly evolving threats and tactics of cybercriminals municipalities must be proactive, not reactive, about cybersecurity.
The Good News
The good news is that there are a select few companies in Oregon, like Upstart Cyber, that offer affordable and scalable integrated Managed IT and Cyber Security solutions tailored to the municipal market. Created by the team that provides cyber security for Fortune 1000 companies, international banking institutions and U.S. government agencies, Upstart Cyber provides the same elite and powerful cyber security solutions, tools and training to municipalities of all sizes throughout Oregon.
Naturally, municipal decision makers will look to companies that provide clear and proactive communication and rapid response. They’ll also look for a team of highly trained engineers and consultants that have experience in designing, configuring, implementing and maintaining networks, servers and security technologies.
