Cybersecurity researchers reported last week that Chinese hackers have breached the networks of six state governments since May. The news adds to the challenges facing state and local governments managing growing cybersecurity risks, including widespread ransomware attacks.

The biggest cyber risk facing state governments is ransomware attacks. This entails hackers seeking to extract ransom payments by compromising or encrypting sensitive data. Such hackers have successfully breached state and local government organizations in recent years. Between 2018 and 2020, nearly 250 government organizations were victimized by ransomware attacks. This cost them as much as $50 billion. Beyond the financial costs, these attacks can disrupt key government services, including public safety, and also put sensitive data at risk.