Grand Jury Reports County At Risk for Cyber Attacks

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Source: Santa Barbara County Grand Jury

Santa Barbara County is at risk from a cyber-attack, similar to those that are occurring around the nation. The 2019-20 Santa Barbara County Grand Jury through its research learned the county of Santa Barbara, the eight incorporated cities, and the special districts within the County, as a whole, are woefully ill-prepared for a cyber-attack. Such an attack could cripple their services and data systems. The cost to repair and recover these systems could be millions of dollars.

Cyber-attacks are more widespread and dangerous than is generally recognized, even by people who should know. Cyber security attacks include corruption or theft of data, denial of service, or complete destruction of critical data. Also, attacks could include subverting critical operations, such as water systems, electrical grids, and communication systems, and thus threaten public safety. The attacks are certain to get worse. There is a never-ending evolutionary race between attack and defense. In this digital world, local government entities, even small ones, are not immune and their risks will grow as automated attack methods increase.

Nationwide, a cyber-attack occurs at least every 39 seconds. Globally, the cost of cyber-attacks is expected to be $6 trillion by 20211. The 2019-20 Santa Barbara County Grand Jury through its research learned the County of Santa Barbara, the eight incorporated cities, and the special districts within the County, as a whole, are woefully ill-prepared for a cyber-attack. Such an attack could cripple their services and data systems. The cost to repair and recover these systems could be millions of dollars!2 Cyber security attacks include corruption or theft of data, denial of service, or complete destruction of critical data. Also, attacks could include subverting critical operations, such as water systems, electrical grids, and communication systems, and thus threaten public safety.

Cyber-attacks are more widespread and dangerous than is generally recognized, even by people who should know. The attacks are certain to get worse. There is a never-ending evolutionary race between attack and defense. In this digital world, local government entities, even small ones, are not immune and their risks will grow as automated attack methods increase.

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