Securing state and local governments in the era of complex cyber threats

The landscape of technology and cybersecurity is rapidly evolving, presenting challenges and opportunities for government entities at the state and local levels. With remote learning becoming the new norm, access to digital resources, tools and systems has expanded beyond traditional on-premises setups.

Cloud computing is critical to enabling government agencies to adopt digital solutions and streamline operations. However, this digital transformation has also attracted the attention of sophisticated bad actors, said Fadi Fadhil, field CTO for Palo Alto Networks, during a StateScoop interview at the NASCIO Mid-year conference in May.

Ransomware attacks are more accessible and affordable, he says, with some perpetrators now offering “ransomware-as-a-service.” These developments have created a fluid and expanding situation, demanding a different level of attention and response compared to previous cybersecurity challenges.

“The imbalance in the game right now is that we went from talking about cybersecurity security and getting more attention to it on the state of local government into [needing to be] intentional about what you’re doing. This is not about shopping for tools; this is about having a strategy,” explains Fadhil.

A sound strategy should encompass the organization’s strengths and weaknesses, and Fadhil explains that state and local government leaders need to understand what those are.

The need for proactive strategies and comprehensive cybersecurity frameworks has never been more critical as state and local governments navigate the evolving landscape of digital governance.

Learn more about developing a holistic security plan that can support and protect your organization.

This video interview was produced by Scoop News Group, for StateScoop, and underwritten by Palo Alto Networks.