Nation-state actors are increasingly targeting the systems that underpin everyday American life. Protecting state and local critical infrastructure - including our nation's water systems and power grids - is now a national security responsibility.
In this interview with State Gov Today, Dr. Mischa Beckett, deputy chief information security officer and director of cyberthreat intelligence at GDIT, provides insights into escalating cyberattacks from foreign adversaries targeting state and local networks.
“Let's focus on resilience, so that when we're hit, because that will happen, we are ready to bounce back quickly and we're prepared.”
From the mechanics of the Salt and Volt Typhoon campaigns to broader geopolitical conflicts, state agencies responsible for water, power, transit and citizen services will continue to see an increase in cyber risks.
Dr. Beckett examines why nation-state actors increasingly view state and local governments as high-value targets and traces the spectrum of threats to potential critical infrastructure outages. She also signifies the importance of the recently released National Cyber Strategy which reframes state and local agencies as core partners with federal agencies for shared national defense.
Ultimately, when facing cyberthreats, every state and local organization must be ready with hardened defenses, prepared responses and the ability to bounce back.
