Author Archive
Cybersecurity
Protection from Ransomware Attacks Isn’t as Simple as Insurance
In the wake of high-profile ransomware attacks, local governments are looking to cyber insurance to mitigate risk. But not all policies are equal and merit close scrutiny, experts say.
Emerging Tech
Local Law Enforcement Should Be Able to Protect Airports From Drones, Report Says
To address security risks, a task force recommends that Congress authorize local law enforcement to take down drones flown too close to airports.
Policy
States Can Craft Own Net Neutrality Rules, Appeals Court Rules
A federal appeals court upheld much of the FCC’s rollback of net neutrality rules but found that the commission overstepped its authority when it blocked states from enacting their own internet regulations.
CIO Briefing
State Attorneys General Launch Google Antitrust Probe
The investigation of Google’s advertising practices is the latest to target tech companies.
IT Modernization
Facebook Expands Tool That Lets Local Governments Send Alerts
The system will offer authorities a way to send targeted notifications about emergencies and other issues to residents.
Policy
Phone Companies Make Pact with State Attorneys General to Combat Robocalls
As part of the agreement, 12 phone carriers pledged to implement call-blocking technology and to monitor their networks for illegal robocalls.
Cybersecurity
Coordinated Ransomware Attack in Texas Seen as Escalation From Prior Hacks
Twenty-three local governments were attacked over the weekend. The willingness of city governments to pay ransoms may be emboldening opportunistic hackers, security experts warn.
Cybersecurity
Fewer Than Half of States Take These Two Election Security Precautions
The Brennan Center for Justice found only 24 states will both have voting systems that create a paper trail and require audits of the 2020 election results.
Cybersecurity
Three Steps Governments Can Take to Guard Against Ransomware Attacks
A federal cybersecurity agency and state government associations issued guidance Monday on protecting city, county and state governments from the growing threat of a ransomware attack.
Emerging Tech
The Hidden Challenges in Police Use of Facial Recognition Technology
The Orlando Police Department ended its pilot program involving facial recognition technology this month, saying the agency was unable to devote the necessary resources to the program.
Policy
Figuring Out How to Go After International Robocallers
The FCC will vote on a proposed rule next month that would ban malicious caller ID spoofing for text messages and robocalls that originate outside the United States. State attorneys general have long requested federal assistance with complaints about robocallers from out of the country.
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CIO Briefing
Improving Transit Through Lyft and Uber? More Agencies Are Paying for Ride-Hailing Rides
Experts and transit leaders say that there could be real benefits to working with ride-hailing companies. But data is needed to assess how successful these programs really are.
Policy
Supreme Court Rejects ‘Contrived’ Defense of Citizenship Question on 2020 Census
The high court’s ruling called into question the Trump administration's justification for including the citizenship question but does not preclude the administration from asking residents whether or not they are citizens.
Cybersecurity
Lawmakers Grapple with Improving Election Security While Respecting States’ Rights
Experts say paper ballots are the way to go, but pushed back against efforts to federalize elections.
Policy
Supreme Court to Hear Challenge on State Code Copyrights
Georgia holds a copyright for its annotated state code, which sells for $404, and sued to block a website from distributing free copies of the document.
IT Modernization
In Kansas, Using an App to Streamline DMV Registrations
The state launched the iKan app as a way to make it easier for residents to renew driver’s licenses or vehicle registrations. A state official said it also ended up generating new revenue.
Cybersecurity