Actionable steps to secure municipal systems and safeguard public data

Key Takeaways:
  • Local governments are increasingly targeted by cybercriminals due to their sensitive data holdings and often limited cybersecurity resources, making cybersecurity a critical governance issue, not just an IT task.
  • Implementing foundational cybersecurity best practices — like strong access controls, regular staff training, timely patching, robust network defenses, comprehensive data backups and tested incident response plan — is essential for all municipalities, regardless of size.
  • Proactive investment in cybersecurity measures and partnerships with specialized IT providers are far more cost-effective than recovering from an attack and are crucial for protecting public data, services and community trust.

 

City halls weren’t built for ransomware.

Your job is to keep the streets safe, the water flowing and the community informed—not to constantly worry about whether a phishing email is going to shut down your police department’s database or freeze your utility billing system.

But in 2025, that’s the reality for city and county leaders across the country. Hackers aren’t just targeting big corporations or federal agencies anymore—they’re coming after local governments, because they know the stakes are high and the defenses are often thin.

From small-town clerks to metro-area CIOs, the responsibility to protect public data and digital infrastructure now sits squarely on your shoulders. Cybersecurity isn’t just an IT task—it’s a governance issue. If a breach happens, constituents don’t blame the firewall. They blame leadership.

The good news? You don’t need to be a tech expert to take smart, effective action. Whether you manage a team of IT professionals or wear multiple hats in a resource-strapped municipality, there are concrete steps you can take to secure your systems, protect your people and build public trust.

Here’s what every local government should be doing right now.

Why Local Governments Are a Growing Target for Hackers

City and county governments collect and store enormous amounts of sensitive data: social security numbers, tax records, infrastructure controls, law enforcement files and payment information. And yet, many municipalities—especially smaller ones—struggle with limited IT staff, outdated systems and tight budgets.

Cybercriminals see that gap.

Over the past few years, ransomware attacks have paralyzed cities from coast to coast, costing taxpayers millions and shutting down essential services for days or weeks. According to the Center for Internet Security, phishing, credential theft and data breaches are on the rise in the public sector. And the impact goes far beyond system downtime—it undermines confidence in local leadership.

Six Cybersecurity Best Practices Every Local Government Should Follow

  1. Enforce Strong Access Controls

Controlling who can access what is foundational.

  • Require multi-factor authentication (MFA) across the board.
  • Follow the principle of least privilege so staff only access the data they need.
  • Routinely review and adjust user permissions, especially after staffing changes.

One weak password or forgotten admin account is all it takes for a breach to spread.

  1. Train Staff to Recognize Threats

Your employees are your first line of defense—and often, your weakest.

  • Provide regular training on phishing, password safety and secure workflows.
  • Run simulated phishing campaigns to test and improve awareness.
  • Foster a culture where reporting suspicious activity is encouraged and easy.

Even a five-minute refresher can prevent a six-figure problem.

  1. Stay Current with Patching and Updates

Hackers don’t break in—they log in through old software.

  • Apply critical patches and updates as soon as they’re released.
  • Replace unsupported systems that can no longer be secured.
  • Automate where possible to reduce oversight and errors.

Ignoring updates is like leaving the front door unlocked.

  1. Strengthen Your Network Defenses

The perimeter matters—but so does what’s happening inside.

  • Use next-generation firewalls (NGFWs) with intrusion prevention and traffic filtering.
  • Ensure all devices have endpoint protection to detect and respond to threats.
  • Monitor for unusual network activity that could signal a breach in progress.

Today’s threats are sophisticated. Your defenses should be too.

  1. Backup Data—and Test Your Restores

If ransomware strikes, your backup is your lifeline—if it works.

  • Back up critical data regularly to secure, offsite or cloud-isolated locations.
  • Use versioned backups to avoid overwriting clean data with infected files.
  • Test your restore process so you know it’ll work when you need it most.

A backup is only as good as your ability to use it under pressure.

  1. Create and Practice an Incident Response Plan

Hope is not a strategy.

  • Draft a clear, actionable incident response plan for cyber events.
  • Define communication protocols for law enforcement, leadership and the public.
  • Conduct tabletop exercises to rehearse real-world scenarios.

When an attack happens, the last thing you want to do is improvise.

Why Cybersecurity Is a Leadership Issue—Not Just IT’s Problem

Cybersecurity today is on par with emergency services and infrastructure—it’s an important service that requires planning, budgeting and visible leadership. Ignoring it puts not just your systems, but your reputation and community trust, at risk.

The truth is, proactive cybersecurity measures cost far less than the aftermath of an attack. And they show your constituents that you’re serious about protecting their data, their services and their confidence in local government.

You don’t have to tackle this alone. At Adams Brown Technology Specialists, we help local governments across Kansas and beyond:

  • Secure their networks through managed IT services
  • Build long-term strategies with virtual CIO (vCIO) services
  • Strengthen employee awareness and train staff against real-world threats
  • Draft and test incident response plans tailored to your community

Whether you’re a growing city or a rural county with a small IT team, we offer scalable, practical support built around your needs and budget.

Questions?

Cybersecurity isn’t just a technology problem—it’s a leadership responsibility.

If you’re in charge of a city, a county, a department or a budget, it’s time to think about cybersecurity the same way you do snow removal or water treatment: critical infrastructure that demands attention before it breaks.

Don’t wait for an attack to act. Contact an Adams Brown Technology Specialist to get ahead of the threat and start building a safer, more resilient future for your community.