CitySmart by VC3

This curated content is from VC3's blog and shares non-technical, municipal-relevant insights about critical technology issues, focusing on how technology reduces costs, helps better serve citizens, and lessens cybersecurity risks. VC3 is solely responsible for the article’s content.

Displaying Items 31-45 (of 80)

When Did Your City Last Test Its Data Backup?

CitySmart by VC3

May 31, 2019

Jessica Zubizarreta, Account Manager

If this question alarms you or you can’t answer it, you’ve got a problem. Testing is quite possibly the most important part of a data backup and disaster recovery solution—short of actually backing up the data.

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“My Data Backup is Fine.” Let’s Define “Fine”

CitySmart by VC3

May 1, 2019

Sylvia Lee, Account Manager

You may have heard the phrase, “Denial ain't just a river in Egypt.” We think of that phrase when talking to cities about data backup. Without much explanation, we hear their data backup is “fine.” But it often sounds like denial of deeper problems. What does “fine” exactly mean?

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Outdated Software Can Expose Cities to Cyberattacks

CitySmart by VC3

March 25, 2019

Michael Chihlas, Network Infrastructure Consultant

Over the past few months, various news items continue to emerge about municipalities opening themselves up to data incidents and cyberattacks from outdated software. For example, 200 Vermont municipalities using New England Municipal Resource Center (NEMRC) software had the personal information of city employees and citizens exposed by a security vulnerability from unpatched software.

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Hackers Now Have Billions of Usernames and Passwords, So How Can Cities Protect Themselves?

CitySmart by VC3

February 27, 2019

Ryan Warrick, Network Infrastructure Consultant, Sophicity

It was inevitable. With so many serious data breaches over the years (including Yahoo’s 3.5 billion records breached, Marriott’s 500,000,000 records breached, Adobe’s 152,000,000 records breached, eBay’s 145,000,000 records breached, etc.), hackers have compiled a massive list of usernames and passwords on the Dark Web.

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Keeping City Records and Data Safe Through the Right Backup Strategy

CitySmart by VC3

January 22, 2019

Rod Riga, Data Center Engineer

As most information today is electronically created and stored, that information also needs backing up in case of an incident such as a server failure, natural disaster, and (yes) ransomware. That’s why a records management strategy that backs up important documents and data is so critical.

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To Master Cybersecurity, Cities Need to Focus on the 3Ps

CitySmart by VC3

November 26, 2018

Dave Mims, CEO, Sophicity

While cybersecurity can seem like an overwhelming problem, we strongly and consistently encourage cities to start with the initial step of addressing the most important low-hanging fruit risks we call the 3Ps: passwords, patching, and people.

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Why Is Patching a Problem? Reasons Behind Resisting a Surefire Cybersecurity Best Practice

CitySmart by VC3

October 25, 2018

Mario Solivan, Network Infrastructure Consultant

Unpatched computers, servers, and devices are one of the top three reasons for cyber breaches. This type of breach isn’t caused by some unknown reason. It stems from a known issue. A patch (or fix) already exists, and the breach occurs because the patch hasn’t been applied. So, why is patching a problem?

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Why Your City Should Not Run Critical Applications on a Single PC

CitySmart by VC3

September 20, 2018

Cale Collins, Network Infrastructure Consultant

If you’ve survived so far with only a few networked PCs with a critical application residing on a single employee’s computer, then that’s great. But with cyberattacks growing more sophisticated, higher technology standards expected of cities, and significant liability concerns around sensitive and confidential data, it may be time to look at a solution that mitigates the risk.

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Fast and Cheap IT Support Puts Your City at Risk

CitySmart by VC3

August 27, 2018

Jessica Zubizarreta, Network Infrastructure Consultant, Sophicity

Cost-cutting measures focused only on price will also affect your city’s security as well as your operations. Cybersecurity has become a serious issue for cities. Not having the right IT support can open your city up to financial and legal liability from the effects of ransomware, viruses, and data breaches.

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Cybercrime Now at $1.5 Trillion Each Year, And Why That Should Concern Cities

CitySmart by VC3

July 26, 2018

Sylvia Sarofim, Network Infrastructure Consultant

Cybercriminals are not playing games. Cybercrime is now a $1.5 trillion criminal industry. They are after your money and data. The question is: Are you going to support their efforts with your weak security? Or will you invest in the right security to encourage them to pass you over?

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How to Create Effective Cybersecurity Training for Cities

CitySmart by VC3

June 28, 2018

Nathan Eisner, COO, Sophicity

Today, training employees about cybersecurity is more important than ever. Cities are targets for hackers and criminals who use ransomware, malware, viruses, and other cyberattack tools to harm city operations, networks, and data. Hackers use techniques that trick employees into handing over access to your systems—and criminals know that people can be the weakest link in your security. 

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5 Ways That Cities Can Battle Back Against Phishing

CitySmart by VC3

May 25, 2018

Brandon Bell, Network Infrastructure Consultant

As information technology evolves and various tools and systems improve, why are there so many successful cyberattacks on cities? One big risk is people.

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Why You Should Never Pay a Ransomware Ransom

CitySmart by VC3

April 24, 2018

Mike Smith, Network Infrastructure Consultant

In the wake of a recent ransomware attack at the City of Atlanta, the question has been raised (again) about whether to pay a ransom or not. It appears the city ended up not paying, but other cities and government entities have done so. Unfortunately, IT professionals and law enforcement sometime give mixed signals about paying ransom. But you should never pay.

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Securing Your City Employees Without Annoying Them

CitySmart by VC3

March 27, 2018

Patrick Perry, Network Infrastructure Consultant, Sophicity

Your information technology needs to allow your city staff to easily perform work while keeping them secure. Sure, you could remove all access to the internet—but then you would get very little done. What’s the right balance? If you are too lax with your information security, then you make yourself an easy target for bad actors (such as hackers). If you are too strict, then employees become unproductive, frustrated, and trapped.

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5 Reasons to Modernize Your Hardware

CitySmart by VC3

February 27, 2018

Jessica Zubizarreta, Network Infrastructure Consultant, Sophicity

There are five major reasons why modernizing your hardware is important and should take place on a regular replacement cycle (or better yet, why you should move to a cloud platform that eliminates the need for some hardware).

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Displaying Items 31-45 (of 80)