Ransomware attacks are on the rise and a concern for anyone on the internet, but especially municipalities, according to the FBI. Is your city covered?
Ransomware attacks lock up the victim’s files until a ransom is paid. CBS recently reported that “26 percent of cities and counties say they fend off an attack on their networks every hour.” In the article, the FBI’s Mike Christman emphasized that cybercriminals know governments are likely to pay because they can’t afford not to.
In fact, the city of Leeds, Alabama was hit with a ransomware attack in 2018 and forced to pay the hackers $12K to regain control of its computers. Mayor David Miller never suspected that his town of 12,000 people would be a target. Learn more about Mayor Miller’s experience by reading or watching this segment on 60 Minutes: How Cybercriminals Hold Data Hostage…And Why the Best Solution is Often Paying a Ransom
The Prewitt Group offers a comprehensive cyber liability program that is currently used by municipalities of all sizes across the state of Alabama. Because cyber attacks are becoming increasingly prevalent and threatening, it is important to be aware of and obtain cyber coverages before your city falls victim to these crimes.
If you’re interested in learning more or obtaining cyber coverage, contact a consultant at The Prewitt Group today!