Sophos’ report revealed that 6 in 10 local or state government entities were victims of cyberattacks in 2021 alone. As hackers sharpen their tools and tactics, local governments must arm themselves with knowledge and robust cyber security measures. Join us as we delve into the top three cyber security challenges that local governments face in 2023, uncovering the reasons behind their vulnerability and unveiling effective strategies to safeguard their critical operations.

Why is the local government a target for cybercriminals?

Local governments have become prime targets for cybercriminals due to a combination of factors that make them vulnerable and attractive targets. Here are the key reasons behind their heightened targeting:

Valuable data

Local governments handle vast amounts of sensitive data, including personal information, financial records, and confidential documents. This data holds immense value for cybercriminals seeking to engage in identity theft, financial fraud, or corporate espionage. The potential rewards of accessing and exploiting such data make local governments an enticing target.

Limited resources

Local government agencies often operate with limited budgets and resources dedicated to cyber security. This constraint can result in outdated systems, inadequate security measures, and a lack of trained personnel. Cybercriminals exploit these vulnerabilities, launching attacks against low-hanging fruit that requires minimal effort to breach.

Interconnected nature

Local governments collaborate with various stakeholders, including state and federal agencies, vendors, and third-party service providers. This interconnectedness introduces potential vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit. A single compromised entity within this network can provide cybercriminals a gateway to access multiple government systems or sensitive data.

Service disruption

Successful cyberattacks on local governments can have severe consequences, disrupting essential public services. From water and electricity supply to emergency response systems, any disruption can threaten public safety and impact citizens’ daily lives. Cybercriminals may target local governments precisely for their potential to cause widespread chaos and disruption.

Political motives

In some cases, cyberattacks on local governments may stem from political motivations. Hacktivist groups or nation-state actors may target local governments to make a political statement, gain leverage in negotiations, or disrupt the operations of a specific region or community.

The top 3 cyber security challenges and how to combat them

Phishing attacks

Phishing attacks continue to be a pervasive and significant cyber security challenge for local governments. These attacks involve cybercriminals masquerading as trusted entities to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information or clicking on malicious links or attachments. Local government employees, often juggling multiple responsibilities and a high volume of emails, may inadvertently fall victim to these deceptive tactics.

Phishing attacks have become increasingly sophisticated, utilising social engineering techniques that exploit human vulnerabilities rather than relying solely on technical vulnerabilities. Attackers may craft convincing emails impersonating government agencies, colleagues, or trusted organisations, urging recipients to take immediate action. These actions can include providing login credentials and financial information or downloading malware.

Local governments must prioritise comprehensive security awareness training programs for employees to combat phishing attacks effectively. Education should cover recognising common phishing indicators, such as misspelt email addresses, suspicious links, and urgent requests for personal information.

Regular simulated phishing exercises can also help employees identify and report potential threats. Furthermore, implementing email filtering systems that use advanced threat detection technologies can significantly reduce the influx of phishing emails into employees’ inboxes.

Ransomware attacks

Ransomware attacks pose a severe and growing threat to local governments worldwide. These attacks involve malicious actors encrypting an organisation’s data, rendering it inaccessible until a ransom is paid. With their critical infrastructure and extensive data repositories, local governments have increasingly become attractive targets for ransomware attacks.

The impact of a successful ransomware attack on a local government can be devastating. It can result in significant service disruptions, hampering the delivery of essential public services such as utilities, emergency services, and administrative functions. Moreover, remediation, recovery, and potential legal liabilities can be exorbitant.

To mitigate the risks associated with ransomware attacks, local governments must adopt a multi-layered approach to cyber security. Regularly backing up critical data and systems is essential to ensure data availability and minimise the impact of a potential attack. Backups should be stored offline or in secure, isolated environments to prevent them from being compromised during an attack.

Network segmentation is another critical strategy that local governments should employ. By dividing networks into smaller, isolated segments, the spread of ransomware can be contained, limiting the extent of the damage. Regularly patching and updating local government software and systems, including operating systems and third-party applications, is crucial to address known vulnerabilities that attackers may exploit.

Employee education plays a significant role in ransomware defence as well. Training should focus on recognising suspicious links or attachments, avoiding downloading files from untrusted sources, and promptly reporting any unusual or unexpected system behaviours.

Insider threats

Whether intentional or unintentional, insider threats present a unique cyber security challenge for local governments. These threats involve employees or contractors with authorised access to sensitive data or systems that misuse that access, intentionally or unknowingly. Insider threats can result from negligence, disgruntlement, or malicious intent, making them difficult to detect and mitigate.

Local governments should implement robust access control measures to address insider threats effectively. This includes granting employees the minimum access required to perform their duties and regularly reviewing and revoking privileges as necessary. User activity monitoring and behaviour analytics can help identify abnormal behaviour that may indicate an insider threat.

Background checks and screening processes during the hiring stage can assist in identifying individuals with a higher risk of engaging in malicious activities. Employee education on data handling best practices, security policies, and the potential consequences of insider threats is crucial in fostering a culture of security awareness and accountability.

Implementing strong data loss prevention measures can also help mitigate the risk of insider threats. This includes classifying and encrypting sensitive data, restricting the use of removable storage devices, and implementing monitoring systems to detect unauthorised data transfers.

Furthermore, establishing clear policies and procedures for handling and protecting sensitive information is essential. This includes implementing multi-factor authentication, regularly reviewing and updating access controls and enforcing strong password policies.

Creating a supportive and transparent work environment is also vital in reducing the likelihood of insider threats. Encouraging employees to report suspicious activities or concerns and providing channels for anonymous reporting can help identify and address potential issues before they escalate. Security compliance reports, regular audits, and assessments of internal systems, processes, and user access privileges are also critical to identifying any vulnerabilities or areas of concern.

It is important to note that while insider threats pose a significant challenge, the goal should not be to create a culture of suspicion or mistrust. Instead, the emphasis should be on fostering a sense of shared responsibility and accountability for data security among all employees.

Conclusion

The top three cyber security challenges for local governments in 2023 are phishing attacks, ransomware attacks, and insider threats. These threats continue to evolve, becoming more sophisticated and damaging.

However, by understanding the reasons behind the targeting of local governments, implementing best practices, and fostering a culture of security awareness, local governments can fortify their defences and mitigate the risks associated with cyber threats.