KnowBe4 today released new research highlighting the critical cybersecurity challenges facing state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) governments. The report details how government organizations have become prime targets for cybercriminals while simultaneously facing severe resource constraints.
The data reveals that despite being the third most-targeted sector by ransomware in 2023, over 80% of SLTT organizations operate with fewer than five employees dedicated to cybersecurity. This staffing shortage coincides with a dramatic increase in cyberattacks, as evidenced by a 313% rise in security incidents reported in the MS-ISAC’s 2022 survey. The situation is worsened by the recent cut of $10 million in federal funding for the Center for Internet Security (CIS), which supports crucial information sharing networks for government agencies.
Human error, often exploited through social engineering, remains the most common entry point for cyberattacks in 70-90% of cases. The limited staffing and resources highlight the need for cost-effective and low-maintenance tools to support government entities. KnowBe4’s 2025 Phishing by Industry Benchmarking Report found that a year of security awareness training can reduce an organization’s phishing susceptibility from approximately 33.1% to just 4.1% after one year of implementation. These findings underscore that effective human risk management offers resource-constrained organizations a powerful and affordable defense against the rising tide of cyberthreats.
Key findings from the report:
- 70% of surveyed SLTT organizations cite lack of sufficient funding as their top security concern
- More than 80% of government organizations operate with fewer than five dedicated cybersecurity employees.
- Average ransom per attack reached $872,656 between 2018 and December 2024, with total costs exceeding $1.09 billion.
- Security awareness training reduced phishing susceptibility from approximately 33.1% to just 4.1% after one year.
To download the “State and Local Cybersecurity: Facing New Burdens Amid Rising Threats” report, visit here.
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New KnowBe4 Report Reveals Local Governments Face Surge in Ransomware Attacks with Minimal Resources
KnowBe4 today released new research highlighting the critical cybersecurity challenges facing state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) governments. The report details how government organizations have become prime targets for cybercriminals while simultaneously facing severe resource constraints.
The data reveals that despite being the third most-targeted sector by ransomware in 2023, over 80% of SLTT organizations operate with fewer than five employees dedicated to cybersecurity. This staffing shortage coincides with a dramatic increase in cyberattacks, as evidenced by a 313% rise in security incidents reported in the MS-ISAC’s 2022 survey. The situation is worsened by the recent cut of $10 million in federal funding for the Center for Internet Security (CIS), which supports crucial information sharing networks for government agencies.
Human error, often exploited through social engineering, remains the most common entry point for cyberattacks in 70-90% of cases. The limited staffing and resources highlight the need for cost-effective and low-maintenance tools to support government entities. KnowBe4’s 2025 Phishing by Industry Benchmarking Report found that a year of security awareness training can reduce an organization’s phishing susceptibility from approximately 33.1% to just 4.1% after one year of implementation. These findings underscore that effective human risk management offers resource-constrained organizations a powerful and affordable defense against the rising tide of cyberthreats.
Key findings from the report:
To download the “State and Local Cybersecurity: Facing New Burdens Amid Rising Threats” report, visit here.
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This entry was posted on May 27, 2025 at 2:28 pm and is filed under Commentary with tags KnowBe4. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.