Managing Editor

Benjamin Freed

Benjamin Freed was the managing editor of StateScoop and EdScoop, covering cybersecurity issues affecting state and local governments across the country. He wrote extensively about ransomware, election security and the federal government’s role in assisting states and cities with information security.

Articles by Author

SXSW panel — Wyoming Department of Transportation official Renée Krawiec, Gemalto marketing director Tiffany Conway, Maryland Department of Transportation official Christine Nizer, and StateScoop associate publisher Jake Williams speak at the South by Southwest conference. (StateScoop)

Digital driver’s licenses solve problems of convenience and security, officials say

State

cash — Getty Images

Georgia county paid $400K to ransomware hackers

County & Local

Jeanette Manfra — Department of Homeland Security Assistant Director for Cybersecurity Jeanette Manfra speaks at the South by Southwest 2019 conference in Austin, Texas, on March 9, 2019. (StateScoop)

DHS works to gain trust, help states on election security

State

SXSW panel — Fortune magazine writer Polina Marinova, former Boston Police Department Superintendent Paul Fitzgerald, software developer Matthew Polega and Seattle Police Department Chief Strategy Officer Chris Fisher speak at the South by Southwest Conference in Austin, Texas on March 8, 2019. (StateScoop)

Police need public’s trust before adopting new technologies, officials say

City

voatz app on smartphone — (StateScoop)

Denver to test blockchain-encrypted mobile voting in May election

City

Getty Images

Rural Jackson County, Ga., recovering from ransomware attack

Cybersecurity

Latah County, Idaho, IT Director Laurel Caldwell; Stevens County, Washington, IT Director Mark Curtis; NASCIO analyst Meredith Ward; and Center for Internet Security program manger Jamie Ward speak at a cybersecurity panel at the National Association of Counties legislative conference in Washington, D.C. — Latah County, Idaho, IT Director Laurel Caldwell; Stevens County, Washington, IT Director Mark Curtis; NASCIO analyst Meredith Ward; and Center for Internet Security program manger Jamie Ward speak at a cybersecurity panel at the National Association of Counties legislative conference in Washington, D.C. (StateScoop)

Small counties serious about cybersecurity should meet their state CIOs

County & Local

hundred dollar bills — Getty Images

How one company is enticing lobbyists to push contractor-monitoring software

State

Ohio Statehouse — Ohio Statehouse (Getty Images)

Ohio cybersecurity bill focuses on election security, civilian response group

State