OPENING LINES OHIO MANDATE REQUIRES LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO ESTABLISH CYBERSECURITY PROGRAMS Source: www.smartcitiesdive.com, Ryan Kushner, Editor, First Published Aug 14th, 2025 DIVE BRIEF: • Ohio passed a law that requires local governments, school districts and water authorities in the state to establish cybersecurity programs to prevent, detect and respond to cyberattacks. Localities must also report cyberattacks to the state’s Department of Public Safety within seven days of the breach. • The new regulations restrict local governments from paying ransoms from cyberattacks without first getting approval from their legislative authority and publicly outlining why compliance with the ransom “is in the best interest” of the local government. • The legislature approved the mandate, which goes into effect Sept. 30, without any state funding for local governments to implement the measures. There were 859,532 complaints of suspected cyber crimes in the U.S. last year, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s latest Internet Crime Report. That number is down 2.4% from the year before. However, reported losses from internet crimes last year were $16 billion — a 33% surge year over year. Cyberattacks are growing more sophisticated with the help of generative AI, according to the FBI. And with fewer resources and outdated systems, local governments are becoming a popular target. “In minor cases, criminals leverage unauthorized 9 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 12, ISSUE 08
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTI5MjAx