Cybercrime and data breaches are increasing at the local and state government levels reports the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C), a nonprofit organization funded primarily by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). With this increase in confidential records being compromised, a pattern is just beginning to emerge where victims are actively pursuing civil actions against those responsible for properly securing their personal information.

The March PM cover story “Cybercrime @ City Hall,” written by Gerald Cliff, research director at NW3C, includes NW3C’s breakdown of the most frequently encountered types of breaches in more than 600 cases reported by local and state government cases during the past 10 years.

The article also includes these strategies to prevent and respond to a breach when it takes place:

• Strictly enforce password policies.
• Closely monitor remote access.
• Deploy effective antivirus software.
• Look for suspicious activity on the network.
• Restrict IT system use to business only.
• Have an effective incident response plan in place before the data breach.
• Conduct “fire drills.”
• Maintain a plan for effective customer notification and remedial action if a breach occurs.
• Investigate cyber intrusion insurance.
• Always report incidents.

For specific details on each strategy, check the cover story. The issue’s Tech Touch department also provides a guide on what to do w/in the first 24-hours after a suspected data breach.

What else will you read in the March PM? A provocative article on resident dis-engagement, information on how to navigate FEMA’s rules to collect disaster recovery costs, details on a nationwide broadband network to ensure public safety called FirstNet, 10 tips for leading change, and more management information!

Beth Payne, Editor