Department of Homeland Security official Scott Tousley has said the ransomware attack on Atlanta, Ga., in March should serve as a warning to municipalities to prepare for similar attacks in the future, MeriTalk reported Wednesday.
Tousley, a Cyber Security Division deputy director, opined during a Digital Government Institute event that cities may soon experience bigger attacks as they rely more on advanced technologies.
He added that the widespread adoption of Internet-of-Things-connected devices could also lead to an increase in attacks, which is occurring faster than the modernization of IT systems.
Tousley also discussed the challenges posed by mobile technologies, unorganized levels of testing and evaluation for software and IoT devices, and the inability to match the pace of data collection with adequate privacy rights policies.