Everybody loves a scary trilogy—that’s why we’ve brewed up the third installment of our seasonal cybersecurity blog, just in time for Halloween and to wrap up Cybersecurity Awareness Month. In this chapter, we’re bringing fresh frights and sharper insights to help keep you informed and your systems secure.
Our sequel article, published in 2024, discussed the chilling consequences of remaining in a non-hosted environment and pulled tales from the coded crypt on recent cybersecurity events.
Now, we’re raising the stakes—delving into even more spine-tingling cyberattacks that have targeted municipalities. Fear not, we’ll also share practical tips and proven strategies to help you keep your data protected from these digital nightmares.
The Phantom of The Orchestra
In 2025, the City of St. Paul, home to one of the nation’s most renowned orchestras, faced a digital crescendo of chaos when ransomware struck their municipal systems. The cyberattack, linked to the Interlock ransomware group, disrupted essential city services and forced a shutdown of online payments and public operations. Like a phantom haunting a concert hall, the threat lingered unseen until it was too late. The Minnesota National Guard even had to be called in to help silence the digital menace.
This incident is a stark reminder that even systems appearing harmonious on the surface can conceal dangerous vulnerabilities. Municipalities must treat their data like finely tuned instruments—regularly maintained and secured—to prevent unseen threats from turning a harmonious workplace into an eerie ensemble.
The Not So Friendly Host
After a string of haunting cyberattacks, the state of Ohio took matters into its own hands and now requires all local governments to comply with new regulations—including the requirement of publicly approving ransom payments made to cybercriminals.
In an article from Government Technology, the state’s cyber initiative, CyberOhio, is reported to have hosted a webinar that filled all 1,000 available slots with concerned local government officials. Many attendees expressed frustration at the new rules, finding them sudden and stringent.
While these measures may seem aggressive and over the top, they might be less about punishment and more about preparation—designed to jolt local agencies into action before they fall victim to their own cyber-haunting. With more than 3,000 local governments in Ohio alone, state officials have admitted they still don’t know how many even have basic cybersecurity policies in place.
If It Weren’t for Those Meddling Security Systems…
As more municipalities embrace digital services to streamline operations, their networks are increasingly under siege—not by ghosts or ghouls, but by waves of Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks. In 2025, local governments across the U.S. saw a sharp rise in these threats resulting in coordinated attempts to flood servers and knock essential services offline, from utility portals to public safety websites.
A recent article from INE Security underscores just how disruptive these attacks can be—and how critical it is to be prepared to ward them off. Reported scenarios include DDoS strikes that disabled emergency communication systems and traffic networks, causing widespread disruptions. The article even delivers a chilling warning: “Every local government is a target.”
While hosted systems may introduce different cyber risks than traditional on-premises setups, their convenience, built-in security, and resilience often make them the stronger option. Managed firewalls, real-time monitoring, and disaster recovery features allow even scrappy public sector teams to stand tall against larger-scale threats.
Overall, a security system should run like a well-oiled machine—otherwise, you may end up with a cybersecurity mystery on your hands. It also helps to have a seasoned IT support gang ready to pull the mask off any threat when trouble appears. These defenders spot suspicious activity, tighten vulnerabilities, and keep public operations online.
In a world full of security system options and ongoing threats, now is always the best time to ask, “What’s new that we can do”—before cybercriminals come after you.
When Training Goes Off the Rails
In 2025, a KnowBe4 report sent a chilling message to local governments: the greatest threat to your cybersecurity might be sitting in your own office—untrained, under-supported, and unaware. The report revealed that many state and local agencies have fewer than five cybersecurity-dedicated personnel, and even fewer resources for ongoing education.
While ransomware and phishing attacks stalk the public sector like creatures in the night, too many municipalities are left to bark at the moon, trying to uncover how a breach slipped through the cracks.
Cyberattacks rarely start with a bang. More often, they begin subtly with a well-meaning employee clicking a malicious link, opening an infected attachment, or trusting an inoculated invoice. These are simple mistakes—but ones that can derail entire systems.
Because of all this, one word should come to mind before security threats get out of hand and things go crazy…
Train.
Educating and training employees are simple precautions that can mean the difference between staying secure and becoming the conductors of a digital disaster. Regular, scenario-based education helps staff recognize threats and respond smartly.
To be sure there are no more tears, take steps to prepare your local government’s personnel to step up to bat the next time cybercriminals try to take a bite out of your data.
It Isn’t Just a Bunch of Hocus Pocus – Real Cyber Defenses at Work
In local government, it’s easy to feel like cybersecurity is just another line item—some digital hocus pocus that keeps IT folks busy while the rest of the team focuses on constituent services. But as cyber threats evolve, that perception couldn’t be further from the truth. When attackers run amok through the digital corridors of government systems, it’s the strength of your cybersecurity framework—not magic—that stands between order and chaos.
While prevention is the best first step, having layered defenses in place to detect and respond to active threats is what truly keeps your systems safe. One real-life example comes from the City of Westland, Michigan. When a phishing email carrying ransomware reached a city employee, their cybersecurity team sprang into action. Thanks to a multi-pronged, or “onion-layered,” strategy—including endpoint protection, rapid response protocols, and clean data backups—the threat was quickly isolated and neutralized.
The result? Minimal disruption, no ransom paid, and no sensitive data lost. Think of it like cybersecurity with nine lives—each layer gives your organization another chance to land on its feet when threats strike.
The lesson? Don’t wait until your systems are bewitched to invest in defense. Modern threats require more than firewalls and wishful thinking. Make sure your IT strategy includes:
- Regular system patching and vulnerability scans
- Real-time monitoring and threat intelligence
- A tested incident response plan
- Training for staff to spot phishing and social engineering
The right cybersecurity strategy requires no special spellbook—just smart tools, sharp instincts, and a plan to outwit whatever’s lurking in your network.
Frankenstein Software
In another seasonal-themed blog post, we warned about the dangers of Frankenstein Software—systems stitched together from multiple vendors that often result in a tangled, unmanageable mess. When each piece of your tech stack comes from a different source, you risk poor communication, slower workflows, and a variety of other vulnerabilities. A unified, hosted solution puts an end to the monster mash of mismatched software.
If this sounds like your current setup, maybe it’s time to pitch the patchwork and lay that monster to rest. A centralized, cloud-hosted platform designed specifically for local governments brings all your tools together under one roof—no more chasing updates across vendors or troubleshooting miscommunications between incompatible systems.
Family Matters
As you’re probably aware after all these eerie examples, cyberattacks don’t wait for a full moon or Friday the 13th—they can strike on even the most mundane Wednesdays.
That’s why it’s important to have a provider who not only understands the importance of ongoing vigilance but also makes working with them feel like family. With a strong hosting partner who has a full suite of software needed to run your local government, you’re never left to deal with threats alone. Their team is always ready to lend a helping hand, so you don’t have to worry about a thing—making secure operations as easy as snapping your fingers.
Don’t let your problems fester; you would be shocked at how much better your operations can be by switching providers.
Tech Treats That Keep Data Safe – Benefits of EGT’s Hosting Services & Software
Here’s what you can expect from Edmunds GovTech’s hosted environment—a bucket of goodies designed to keep your operations protected:
- AWS Secure Servers – reliable, government-grade infrastructure
- AWS CloudWatch – real-time monitoring to catch issues before they escalate
- Automatic Updates – stay current without lifting a wand
- Built-in MFA – strong authentication for every user
- IP Whitelisting – keep out the unknown
- User Security Settings by Role – custom access, less risk
- Knowledgeable Support Staff – ready to jump in before things go bump in the night
- Fully Integrative System – all the modules you need under one support team
For more information on our services, feel free to contact us or visit our hosting page and security solutions page.
Stay safe, and Happy Halloween!
