As cyber attacks become more frequent and sophisticated, state governments find it difficult to create finance, qualified personnel and other resources they need to combat this serious threat.
That was one of the warnings in the latest Biennial Cyber Security Study of Deloitte and Touche, the world’s leading professional services network and the National Association of State Information Officers, published last fall.
The report warns that as state leaders are increasingly depending on information technology and connectivity to operate their government, computer pirates have more opportunities to penetrate their systems and work their tortuous schemes.
State governments, and, of course, the city’s governments and county also store more and more vital information about servers or what is known as the “Internet of Things”, devices connected to the Internet that can collect and exchange data. This dependence increases vulnerability to cyber attacks.
The growth of artificial intelligence yields another complication to the mixture, which facilitates the execution of phishing scams and the deep audio and visual.
The dangers lurk everywhere in cyberspace; The more dependent we return to our high -tech devices, the greater the need for surveillance and defensive measures.
State CISO, the main information security officers are in the front line in this campaign to protect the finances and services of state governments. They are the people largely responsible for presenting ways to protect the state information and limit damage when a violation occurs.
More and more, according to the study, these officers find it difficult to obtain the financial support they need from state governments, including projects designed to make state offices comply with laws and regulations.
Another problem is to find enough cybersecurity experts for critical position personnel. Throughout the country, Ciso often suffers exhaustion in their high stress works. Billing in the upper information security position is a problem in many states.
Many states are not only implementing strategies to protect against AI attacks; They are also looking for ways to add their arsenal to protect security.
All these defense strategies will require adequate funds, with the needs that will probably increase as cybercriminals become increasingly skilled. This is an area where the State cannot afford to escape. Almost everything that happens in the state government implies storage of information and finance, and therefore is a potential objective to damage cyber attacks.
Municipal governments also face these challenges. While Commonwealth works to stay at the forefront of cyber threats constantly evolution, officials must also do everything possible to help city governments and the county to underpin security. Support must include sharing information and strategies, as well as complementing finance when possible.
Another part of the strategy could be to work to encourage and facilitate that young people prepare for cybersecurity work.
It is a reality of the life of the 21st century that we depend more and more on the Internet and other manifestations of the rapid development of our new and more powerful technology era. New technologies can do a lot of good, but also, if they are badly used, a lot of damage. The State must maintain strong defenses.
The Virginian-Pilot/Tribune news service
