• Vulnerabilities & Threats News Federal Cuts Put Local, State Agencies at Cyber-Risk Cyberattackers target local and state agencies, a problem as the Trump administration cuts cybersecurity funds and culls workers at federal security agencies. • September 5, 2025 Cybercriminals and online attackers have put state and local governments squarely in the crosshairs, just as federal budget and staffing cuts have hit the organizations that provide expertise and aid. • 24, the state of Nevadasuffered a ransomware attack, which led to service outages and the theft of data. • While many government services in Nevada restarted this week, the state continued to work withthe FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)and had not fully recovered its computer systems and data. • In July, a major ransomware attack targeted the City of St. • Paul, Minn., leading officials to declare a state of emergency and the governor to call in the National Guard’s cybersecurity experts to help.
Article Summaries:
- Federal budget and staffing cuts to U.S. cybersecurity agencies have left local and state governments increasingly exposed to cyberattacks. Recent ransomware incidents-including Nevada’s August 24 attack that disrupted services and stole data, and a July assault on St. Paul, Minnesota that prompted a state‑of‑emergency declaration and National Guard cyber support-highlight the growing threat to smaller agencies. Experts note that these entities have limited expertise, tighter budgets, and reduced access to federal assistance, making them prime targets for criminal and nation‑state actors. The trend underscores a widening cyber‑risk gap between federal and sub‑national governments.
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