Advice for Confronting Ransomware for State and Local Governments

Given the continuing, if not increasing, threats to state and local governments from ransomware, device security company Forescout has published an article containing advice for how to prevent as well as respond to and recover from potentially costly and debilitating attacks. To secure data and networks, the article points to the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST’s) Cybersecurity Framework as well as the Center for Internet Security’s (CIS’s) Top 20 Controls (CIS operates the Multi-State ISAC, or MS-ISAC, a WaterISAC partner). It also highlights a step-by-step guide from the National Association of State Chief Information Officers that is intended to help organizations consider all the necessary components of a response in the event of a cyber attack. For water and wastewater sector specific guides to help address the ransomware threat, as well as other cybersecurity risks, WaterISAC recommends members review its 15 Cybersecurity Fundamentals for Water and Wastewater Utilities as well as the American Water Works Association’s (AWWA’s) Water Sector Cybersecurity Risk Management Guidance and its associated Assessment Tool. Read the article at Forescout.