Cybersecurity at the Grassroots: American Local Governments and the Challenges of Internet Security

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dc.contributor.authorNorris, Donald F.
dc.contributor.authorMateczun, Laura
dc.contributor.authorJoshi, Anupam
dc.contributor.authorFinin, Tim
dc.date.accessioned2020-07-23T17:23:00Z
dc.date.available2020-07-23T17:23:00Z
dc.date.issued2018-09-26
dc.description.abstractIn this paper, we examine cybersecurity challenges faced by America’s local, governments, including: the extent of cyberattacks; problems faced in preventing attacks from being successful; barriers to providing high levels of cybersecurity management; and actions that local governments believe should be taken to improve cybersecurity practice. Our research method consisted of a focus group of information technology (IT) and cybersecurity officials from one American state. Our findings indicate that cyberattacks are constant and can number in the tens of thousands or more per day. While our participants noted that while they were not perfect at it, they felt that they had cybersecurity technology under good control. Their biggest challenge is human – that is, end-users who make mistakes or engage in misconduct. Local governments face several barriers in providing high levels of cybersecurity, including: insufficient funding and staffing; problems of governance; and insufficient or under-enforced cybersecurity policies. Participants suggested several ways to improve local government cybersecurity, including: vulnerability assessment, scanning and testing, cybersecurity insurance, improving end-user authentication and authorization, end-user training and control, control over the use of external devices, and improved governance methods, among others. We conclude by making suggestions for further research into local government cybersecurity.en_US
dc.description.urihttps://www.degruyter.com/view/journals/jhsem/15/3/article-20170048.xmlen_US
dc.format.extent14 pagesen_US
dc.genrejournal articlesen_US
dc.identifierdoi:10.13016/m2z65r-fk8m
dc.identifier.citationDonald F. Norris , Laura Mateczun , Anupam Joshi and Tim Finin, Cybersecurity at the Grassroots: American Local Governments and the Challenges of Internet Security, Journal of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Volume 15: Issue 3 (2018), doi: https://doi.org/10.1515/jhsem-2017-0048en_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.1515/jhsem-2017-0048
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11603/19229
dc.language.isoen_USen_US
dc.publisherWalter de Gruyter GmbHen_US
dc.relation.isAvailableAtThe University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC)
dc.relation.ispartofUMBC Computer Science and Electrical Engineering Department Collection
dc.relation.ispartofUMBC Faculty Collection
dc.relation.ispartofUMBC Student Collection
dc.relation.ispartofUMBC School of Public Policy
dc.rightsThis item is likely protected under Title 17 of the U.S. Copyright Law. Unless on a Creative Commons license, for uses protected by Copyright Law, contact the copyright holder or the author.
dc.rights©2018 Walter de Gruyter GmbH
dc.subjectUMBC Ebiquity Research Group
dc.titleCybersecurity at the Grassroots: American Local Governments and the Challenges of Internet Securityen_US
dc.typeTexten_US

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