Government in Arkansas Reports Rise in Cyberattacks

The number of cybersecurity incidents affecting state and local government entities in Arkansas in fiscal 2023 was more than double the number reported in the previous year, according to an Arkansas Legislative Audit report.

In recent sessions, the Arkansas State Legislature has passed legislation aimed at combating cyberattacks directed on public bodies. In the last regular session, the General Assembly approved a bill creating the Arkansas Cyber Response Board, which provides protection for school districts and municipalities targeted by cyber attacks. The law also defines a minimum standard of cybersecurity that bodies that participate in the program must adhere to.

Recent Increase in Nationwide Small Government Attacks

The incidents validate a recent trend noted by cybersecurity experts indicating a rapid rise in cyberattacks targeted against small governments and cities.

As reported on by Infosecurity Magazine, nearly half of all ransomware attacks target municipalities.

The International City/County Management Association (ICMA) lists five key reasons these organizations are targeted including:

1. Large number of local governments
2. Holders of sensitive information
3. Inadequate cybersecurity
4. Financial constraints
5. Use of Internet of Things (IoT) technology

CISA CPG Guidelines

CISA recommends taking advantage of third-party validation options available at zero cost to organizations like yours to help identify cybersecurity gaps.

Trinsio offers four complimentary services including a Firewall Network Threat Assessment.

Based on actual traffic hitting your firewall over a 24-hour period, a Trinsio network threat assessment will confirm your firewall’s effectiveness by documenting all of the incoming and outgoing threats to your network based on more than 50 lists maintained by the cyber intelligence community.

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