How Public Sector Agencies Can Stay Alert of Cyberattacks

Cyber threats against government agencies are escalating in both frequency and sophistication. In recent years, major U.S. cities like Baltimore and Dallas have suffered crippling cyberattacks that exposed sensitive data and disrupted public services. The City of Dallas, for instance, had to approve an $8.5 million recovery budget after a 2023 ransomware attack. These incidents underscore that public sector cybersecurity is not just an IT issue but a core public safety concern. CIOs and city managers cannot afford to be complacent cybersecurity must be treated as a top priority to safeguard public trust.

Figure: Local governments face rising cyber threats from criminals and state actors. Even smaller public agencies can be targeted if they have weak defenses. Over the past five years, cyberattacks on state and local entities have surged by roughly 50%. Attackers know that many agencies still run on limited budgets or legacy systems, making them prime targets. From ransomware to data breaches, no government organization is immune which is why staying alert to threats is essential to prevent cyberattacks before they cause damage.

Unique Challenges in Public Sector Cybersecurity

For many government organizations, staying ahead of cyber threats is easier said than done. Public sector IT teams face distinct challenges that make cybersecurity difficult to maintain:

• Limited budgets and staff: Municipal and agency IT departments often operate with tight funding and small teams. There may not be enough resources to invest in cutting-edge tools or dedicated security personnel, creating gaps that hackers can exploit.
• Legacy systems and software: Many public offices still rely on legacy IT systems that haven’t been fully updated or patched. Outdated software can contain known vulnerabilities, weakening an agency’s public sector IT security posture.
• Sensitive data troves: Government stores everything from tax records to health and public safety data. This makes public institutions attractive targets for cybercriminals. Strong public sector data protection is mandatory, yet achieving it across so much data under strict regulations like state privacy laws or CJIS is a constant challenge.
• Lack of cybersecurity awareness: Busy public servants may not have adequate training to recognize phishing emails or follow robust password practices. Without a security-aware culture, human error (like clicking a malicious link) is far more likely to lead to a breach.
• Complex compliance requirements: Agencies must comply with various security and privacy regulations. Keeping up with standards (NIST, HIPAA, GDPR, etc.) with limited resources is difficult. Failure can mean not only penalties but also increased risk of incidents due to lapses.

These factors create a perfect storm of risk for government offices. It’s clear that public agencies need to be proactive and vigilant to counteract these challenges.

How to Stay Alert and Prevent Cyberattacks

While the threat landscape is daunting, there are clear steps agencies can take to bolster their defenses. Here are some best practices to enhance your security vigilance and prevent cyberattacks from succeeding:

Implement continuous monitoring and threat intelligence

Use real-time monitoring tools (like intrusion detection systems) to watch for suspicious activity across your networks. Set up alerts for anomalies and subscribe to official threat intelligence feeds so you’re aware of new vulnerabilities or attack campaigns targeting the public sector (for example, CISA regularly issues cybersecurity alerts for government entities). Early detection is critical it can mean the difference between quietly stopping an intrusion and having public services knocked offline.

Invest in employee training and awareness

People are often the weakest link in cybersecurity. Regularly educate staff at all levels on how to spot phishing emails, use strong passwords, and handle sensitive information properly. Run simulated phishing tests and cybersecurity drills. Building a security-aware culture ensures everyone from interns to department heads plays their part to help prevent breaches. Reward good security hygiene and make training engaging so it truly sticks.

Modernize and patch your systems

Audit your technology environment to find any outdated software, unsupported operating systems, or legacy applications. Prioritize upgrading or replacing these, since unpatched vulnerabilities in old systems are common entry points for hackers. Apply security patches and updates consistently including for third-party software and IoT devices. Modern, cloud-based solutions can also enhance security if configured properly. By keeping systems up-to-date, you strengthen your public sector IT security foundation and close the easy avenues attackers target.

Strengthen data protection with encryption and backups

Make sure sensitive citizen and employee data is encrypted both in transit and at rest. Enforce strict access controls (role-based permissions, multi-factor authentication) to limit who can access critical information. Equally important, maintain robust data backup routines and store backups offline. If ransomware strikes, having recent backups allows you to restore services without paying a ransom. Regularly test your backups to ensure they can be relied on in an emergency. These public sector data protection practices mean that even if attackers breach your defenses, they cannot easily steal or destroy your agency’s most vital data.

Establish a cyber incident response plan

Develop a clear incident response plan that outlines what to do if a breach or attack occurs. Assign specific roles in advance for example, who will communicate with the public and authorities, who will work on technical containment and recovery, and who will handle legal or regulatory notifications. Conduct periodic drills so that when an incident happens, everyone knows their role and can act swiftly. A well-rehearsed response plan helps contain damage, preserve evidence for investigation, and get critical systems back online faster, all of which minimize the impact on your community.

Partner with public sector cybersecurity experts

Government IT teams don’t have to go it alone. Consider partnering with external specialists or government cyber security agencies that have experience defending public sector systems. An experienced security partner can provide 24/7 threat monitoring, advanced penetration testing, and on-call incident response support as needed. They can also help align your program with leading frameworks and compliance standards (like NIST CSF or ISO 27001) to bolster your overall security posture. Working with certified experts gives your agency access to the latest cyber defense knowledge and tools a smart way to stay one step ahead of evolving threats.

Conclusion: Strengthening Public Sector Cybersecurity

Cyber threats will only continue to evolve, but with the right strategy, public agencies can stay one step ahead. It requires an ongoing commitment to vigilance, from the executive level down to every employee. By addressing vulnerabilities proactively and fostering a culture of security, CIOs and city managers can significantly reduce risk and maintain public trust in digital government.

Public sector leaders don’t have to navigate this journey alone. App Maisters is here to help fortify your defenses. We are an ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 certified company with extensive experience in public sector cybersecurity and digital transformation for public sector initiatives. Our team has successfully delivered secure solutions for federal, state, and local agencies. From implementing robust security architectures to ensuring compliance and data protection, we bring an authoritative approach to safeguarding your organization’s digital assets. Contact us to learn how we can support your agency’s cybersecurity needs and help you stay alert against cyberattacks.