October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month

This month, State Comptroller DiNapoli highlights the rise in cybercrime and the serious threat it poses to New York State and its local governments in two recently released reports.

Cyberattacks in New York State increased 53% between 2016 and 2022. Estimated losses in New York from cyberattacks in 2022 totaled over $775 million, while losses nationwide totaled $10.3 billion. DiNapoli’s Cyber-attacks on New York’s Critical Infrastructure report details the recent proliferation of cyberattacks, the most common types, and dis-cusses efforts to respond to and prevent such attacks.

In New York, cyber-attacks have impacted local governments and schools both large and small, including reported attacks at counties including Albany, Chenango, Erie, Nassau, Schenectady, Suffolk, and Schuyler; cities including New York, Albany, Buffalo, Yonkers, Long Beach, and Olean; and towns including Brookhaven, Ulster, Canandaigua, and Moreau. In a second report, DiNapoli’s office recommends local government and school officials treat cybersecurity risks as they do any other hazard they encounter: identify the risks, reduce their vulnerabilities, and plan for contingencies.

“Cyberattacks are a serious threat to New York’s critical infrastructure, economy, and our everyday lives,” said DiNapoli. “Data breaches at companies and institutions that collect large amounts of personal information expose New Yorkers to potential invasions of privacy, identity theft, and fraud. Also troubling is the rise in ransomware attacks that can shut down systems we rely on for water, power, health care and other necessities. Safe guarding New York from cyberattacks requires sustained investment, coordination, and vigilance.”