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Cyberattacks could be wakeup calls

ATLANTA

Experts say governments, public agencies and companies should see the recent cyberattacks in Atlanta, Baltimore and elsewhere as a wakeup call.

After a ransomware attack March 22 hobbled Atlanta’s computer network, many city agencies have had to operate manually. Another ransomware attack hit Baltimore’s 911 dispatch system over the weekend, prompting a roughly 17-hour shutdown of automated emergency dispatching.

The Colorado Department of Transportation suffered two attacks just over a month ago. And the North Carolina county that’s home to Charlotte totally rebuilt its system after a December attack.

For cash-strapped local governments, paying for robust protection against the invisible menace of a cyberattack can be a hard sell. But cyberattacks continue to proliferate, and experts say preparation and strong defensive measures are necessary to avoid the crippling effects.

Associated Press