Several states have passed, or are considering, legislation to bar local governments from making payments to criminals who hold computer systems hostage.

The sector is a target-rich environment due to the large amount of sensitive data that healthcare entities maintain for patient care and operations.

The Port of Los Angeles launched a Cyber Resilience Center that protects not only port administration systems, but the shipping companies that berth there.

“Compromised systems can directly affect public finance entities in the near term,” says Fitch's Omid Rahmani, citing ransomware risks.

In the last decade Omid was involved in cyber security issues.

Cyber criminals threaten the safety of patients and the financial health of hospitals. The life-and-death stakes underscore the importance of online security.

Experts explore the tangible and intangible costs of cyber breaches and potential risk mitigation strategies.

S&P’s Tiffany Tribbitt and Geoffrey Buswick talk with Chip Barnett about what municipalities can do to counter the growing threat of cyber attacks and what steps cities and states can take after an incident happens. (15 minutes)

Alan Rubin, principal, Blank Rome Government Relations

Rating agencies are pushing municipal issuers to build online security risks like ransomware attacks into mitigation strategies that include more transparency.

Joseph Krist, publisher of Muni Credit News, explores state budgets, federal aid, climate change and cybersecurity. Paul Burton hosts. (34 minutes)

The transit agency's acknowledgment of an intrusion set off loud alarm bells about the rising threat of public-issuer system hacks.

There is no doubt 2020 was a year of contactless transactions. But what implications do contactless payments present when it comes to security?

The $6.8 million, three-year agreement with IBM includes hardware, software and services to design, install, operate and maintain a cyber center that will connect all the port's users to the system.

Jonathan Ballan, co-chair of the public and project finance team at Cozen O’Connor, calls for new categories of tax-exempt bonds to help urban areas redevelop from COVID-19. He also makes a deeply personal appeal to tighten cybersecurity laws. Northeast Regional Editor Paul Burton hosts. Recorded Nov. 19. (27 minutes)

Cyberattacks are increasingly likely as more government employees work from home due to the coronavirus pandemic, analysts said.

Rick Kolman and Al Kirton of Academy Securities talk about the state of the public power sector today – the challenges and opportunities that exist for investors.

The city will ask the Louisiana State Bond Commission to authorize issuing up to $100 million of revenue notes.

Health care facilities have a high risk of cyberattacks compared to medium low risk for local governments and school districts, according to Moody’s

Georgia, Wisconsin, Texas and other states have master state contracts with insurers that are available to local governments for cybersecurity.