Rural towns say they need a hand to fight off hackers and ransomware

[Sherman A1]

The federal government set aside $1 billion to help cities and counties improve their cybersecurity, but rural communities worry they will be left out and end up more susceptible to ransomware and other attacks.

The funding comes from the new infrastructure law, with $250 million specifically allocated for rural areas. The funds are distributed to states over the next four years and will begin going out later this year.

But rural community leaders say they lack the resources and expertise to come up with a comprehensive cybersecurity plan and to pursue the grants.

“It’s just me and two other people who work for me,” said Scott Avery, the city administrator in Houston, Missouri, population 2,500. “Getting and administering any grant is a lot of work.”

https://news.stlpublicradio.org/government-politics-issues/2022-01-31/rural-towns-say-they-need-a-hand-to-fight-off-hackers-and-ransomware

[EYESORE 9001]

1. IOW, 'Democrat-run big cities can fuck right off'...

unless we need something, then we look for a handout.

[Midnight Writer]

2. If "it's just me and two other people who work for me", then go offline.

Disconnect your data bases from the internet. Manually update and backup daily. Keep paper files and records. It can be done. I seen it once.

[HipChick]

3. Not really feasible..

sounds as though they don't have the manpower to maintain offline systems..

[inthewind21]

5. Getting and administering a grant

Is just too much work. WOW

[MagickMuffin]

4. Have they called their representatives?

Maybe they could help, after all, this is their base.