Ohio Governor Mike DeWine in 2018

Ohio Creates ‘Cyber Reserve’ To Respond to Ransomware Attacks Across State

The reserve will be comprised of volunteer cybersecurity experts who will work with the state national guard to help local governments.

  • By Haley Samsel
  • Oct 30, 2019

After a slew of ransomware attacks hit at least three local governments and a major airport in the state, Ohio is rolling out a new program aimed at helping cities combat and respond to cybersecurity threats.

The Ohio Cyber Reserve, established through a law signed by Gov. Mike DeWine on Friday, will be comprised of computer and information security experts who have volunteered to assist local governments recover from the attacks.

Plans for the reserve include the building of five teams of 10 people each spread throughout the state, all of whom will be vetted and trained to help during cybersecurity emergencies hitting governments. Ohio officials compare it to how the Ohio National Guard is placed on active duty during a natural disaster, Nextgov reported.

“This is a persistent threat, and we have to continuously evolve our approach to protecting our critical infrastructure when it comes to cyber,” Maj. Gen. John C. Harris Jr., the Ohio Adjutant General who oversees the state’s National Guard, said during the signing of bill on Friday.

Read more: FBI Warns Businesses and Organizations of Rising “High-Impact” Ransomware Threat

The Ohio National Guard’s cyber team has previously been sent to assist with attacks that affected the city of Akron’s financial accounts. Just this year, the Cleveland airport was hit with an attack, as was the Fayette County government and the city of Riverside Heights.

“The Ohio Cyber Reserve will give us the resources to support our local governments when cyber criminal attacks put computer systems at risk and threaten the safety of Ohioans,” DeWine said in a statement, calling the program an “innovative idea” that could serve as a model for other states.

Other state governments in Texas and Colorado have deployed their national guards to respond to cyber incidents, Nextgov reported. The Ohio law will go into effect 90 days after it was signed, and allocates $100,000 in fiscal year 2020 and $550,000 for fiscal year 2021 for the adjutant general to operate the cyber reserve.

About the Author

Haley Samsel is an Associate Content Editor for the Infrastructure Solutions Group at 1105 Media.

Featured

  • Ransomware Attacks Rise for the First Time in Six Months

    Ransomware attacks have risen for the first time in six months, increasing by 28% month-on-month to 421 attacks. While overall attack volume remained below 500, the uptick may signal a renewed escalation heading into the year’s most active period for cyber criminals. Read Now

  • Report: 47 Percent of Security Service Providers Are Not Yet Using AI or Automation Tools

    Trackforce, a provider of security workforce management platforms, today announced the launch of its 2025 Physical Security Operations Benchmark Report, an industry-first study that benchmarks both private security service providers and corporate security teams side by side. Based on a survey of over 300 security professionals across the globe, the report provides a comprehensive look at the state of physical security operations. Read Now

    • Guard Services

  • Identity Governance at the Crossroads of Complexity and Scale

    Modern enterprises are grappling with an increasing number of identities, both human and machine, across an ever-growing number of systems. They must also deal with increased operational demands, including faster onboarding, more scalable models, and tighter security enforcement. Navigating these ever-growing challenges with speed and accuracy requires a new approach to identity governance that is built for the future enterprise. Read Now

  • Eagle Eye Networks Launches AI Camera Gun Detection

    Eagle Eye Networks, a provider of cloud video surveillance, recently introduced Eagle Eye Gun Detection, a new layer of protection for schools and businesses that works with existing security cameras and infrastructure. Eagle Eye Networks is the first to build gun detection into its platform. Read Now

  • Report: AI is Supercharging Old-School Cybercriminal Tactics

    AI isn’t just transforming how we work. It’s reshaping how cybercriminals attack, with threat actors exploiting AI to mass produce malicious code loaders, steal browser credentials and accelerate cloud attacks, according to a new report from Elastic. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure.

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation.

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis.