Press Coverage: Geek Insider Highlights Municipal Cybersecurity Incident

Municipalities are frequent ransomware targets not because their data is uniquely valuable, but because their defenses are often underfunded, outdated, and stretched across sprawling networks. Attackers know that even modest disruptions — like shutting down billing systems or police records — can create immediate pressure on local governments.

The Geek Insider article points to high-profile incidents in Baltimore (2019) and Atlanta (2018), where ransom demands were relatively small but recovery costs soared into the millions. More recent cases, like Ridgefield Public Schools in Connecticut, show how swift action can prevent worst-case scenarios. The lesson is consistent: waiting to build resilience is far more expensive than investing in it ahead of time.

Andy emphasizes that resilience requires investment in security infrastructure, adoption of zero-trust principles, employee training, and — critically — preparation. Municipalities should not only maintain offline backups and rehearse incident response plans but also identify a trusted data recovery partner in advance. That step ensures they can move quickly into recovery without needing to scramble for outside help during a crisis.

The St. Paul ransomware attack highlights a reality that every municipality must face: ransomware is not a rare event, but part of the operating environment for city governments. Transparent communication, strong defenses, and tested recovery strategies are the keys to protecting both public services and public trust.