New Jersey Continues To Be a Cyber Crime Target

New Jersey Continues To Be a Cyber Crime Target

New Jersey continues to be an easy cybercrime target because officials continue to pay hackers’ ransoms Proper IT security policies can prevent future attacks.  

When it comes to cybercrime, anyone and any organization can be a target. The more IT security protocols and protections that are put into place, the better private data and sensitive information can be protected. However, with poor IT policies combined with those who are uneducated on current cybersecurity threats, it’s easy to fall victim to cybercrime. Unfortunately, the great state of New Jersey continues to be an easy cybercrime target. Why is that the case? Officials continue to pay cybersecurity criminals their ransoms rather than invest in greater IT security policies. Citizens’ data can be protected with the proper IT security protocols.

Read on to learn more about the current state of cybersecurity threats in New Jersey.

Officials Continue To Make Payments

The ransom requests began in 2017 when Iranian hackers shut down a number of Newark’s computer servers. In order to gain access to the encrypted files once again, the hackers demanded $30,000 in Bitcoin. With only seven days to answer the demands, city officials made the choice to pay the ransom.

One would think New Jersey would be safe after paying the ransom, but that wasn’t the case. In fact, the FBI reports that New Jersey is the ninth ranking state in the nation for falling victim to cybercrime. The Municipal Excess Liability Joint Insurance Fund, which helps ensure public entities across the state, said they have seen A liability insurance company has even reported that local government agencies have experienced a 540 percent increase in cyber attacks since 2013.

In 2018 alone, 8,400 people lost a combined amount of $79.7 million. The victims were individual citizens, businesses, and government agencies. Dozens of government agencies continue to fall victim to hackers and have for the past few years.

According to global threats expert John Cohen, “[New Jersey’s] systems remain vulnerable due to insufficient security and local governments continue to pay the criminals.” Without sufficient protection against cyber crime, New Jersey will remain a target for cybercrime.

IT Security Policies Prevent Cyber Attacks

Cybercrime occurs every day across the globe. New Jersey is more prone to these cyber-attacks because of its weak IT security policies. However, that doesn’t mean that IT protocols are ineffective. The right protections must be in place to successfully stop hackers in their tracks.

You cannot simply put up a firewall and walk away with peace of mind. Cyber security threats change and adapt as quickly as technology. Government agencies, businesses, and individuals must be on their toes and stay up-to-date on the latest IT protocols.

Decision-makers must invest in proper IT security to ensure encrypted files and sensitive information can only be seen by authorized individuals. Backdoors cannot exist and protection must work around the clock.

IT security companies can assist businesses and individuals with protecting their crucial information. The combination of mock cyber security attacks along with IT policies can ensure technological infrastructure is protected. Mock attacks involve a third party agency acting as hackers. They will do anything and everything in their power to expose the weaknesses. Once the weaknesses are exposed, policies need to be put in place to ensure these weaknesses are no longer present. IT policies must be realistic and fully explained. Email protocols, passwords, downloads, and more must be carefully determined.

Businesses and government agencies specifically must take time to educate their employees on new IT security policies. It’s rare that an employee means to fall victim to a scam via email or accidentally download a ransomware virus. With proper education on current cyber security threats and what it expected of employees, companies can rest assured they have taken all of the necessary precautions.

IT security policies provided by professional IT consultants can help add an additional layer of protection and peace of mind. Don’t allow yourself or your organization to fall victim to hackers.