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Why It Is Important: Ransomeware attacks are up by 100% in the last year. “Threat actors” are targeting cities, counties, and states’ computer networks and exploiting local governments for cash pay-outs.
- 23 Texas towns hit by the largest-ever ransomware attack, in what could be the first coordinated cyberattack; Florida cities paid over $1 million to the attackers
- All-time high of local governments being targeted by foreign criminals and terrorist-backed groups
- attacks were successful because of bad cybersecurity, failed back-ups, and fear of embarrassment
What Nunn’s Bill Does: SF 2080 stops tax-payer dollars from paying cyber ransoms to criminal and foreign adversaries. Iowan’s should not be “on the hook” for covering the costs of local governments that do not provide good cybersecurity. The bill incentivizes government agencies to prepare for attacks, develop data back-ups, and inform the State’s Dept of Homeland Security and Office of the Chief Information Officer of the attack details and mitigation plan.
