Ransomware has become one of the most dangerous and costly cyber threats facing public safety agencies today. In a matter of minutes, it can lock critical systems, encrypt essential data, and halt operations across entire departments. For agencies that depend on real-time access to dispatch, records, and evidence systems, the impact can be immediate — and devastating.
Public safety organizations are now prime targets because attackers know these agencies cannot afford downtime. When emergency response, public communications, or court operations are disrupted, communities suffer. As ransomware continues to rise across government and law enforcement networks, agencies must take proactive steps to prepare, defend, and recover.
Why Public Safety Agencies Are Prime Targets
Unlike private companies, public safety agencies can’t simply “pause” operations during a cyberattack. Police, fire, and emergency dispatch centers must remain operational — and attackers exploit that urgency. Knowing agencies have lives on the line, cybercriminals use ransomware to demand immediate payment for system restoration.
Compounding the risk, many agencies still rely on legacy systems, limited IT resources, and interconnected platforms that were never designed with modern cyber threats in mind. Dispatch, records, and court systems often share data through complex integrations, giving attackers multiple entry points.
According to data from the Multi-State Information Sharing & Analysis Center (MS-ISAC), local governments — including police and municipal IT networks — remain among the most frequently targeted entities in the U.S. The reason is simple: they’re essential, yet often underprotected.
Real-World Ransomware Incidents
Several recent incidents show how disruptive ransomware can be for public safety operations:
- Atlanta (2018): A ransomware attack crippled city systems, forcing police and courts to revert to paper records. The city refused to pay the ransom, but recovery costs exceeded $17 million.
- Baltimore (2019): City networks were locked for weeks, halting services and costing over $18 million in recovery and lost productivity.
- Dallas (2023): Police communications, courts, and 911 dispatch were disrupted for weeks, with some data systems still recovering months later.
- Smaller municipalities nationwide have faced similar attacks, with hackers targeting local police and utility networks through phishing emails or unpatched servers.
Each incident carries more than a financial toll — it undermines community trust, delays emergency response, and weakens operational readiness.
The True Cost of Ransomware
The ransom itself is often just the beginning — the true cost of an attack extends far beyond the initial demand. When systems are locked, agencies lose access to dispatch tools, case records, and evidence management systems, forcing personnel to revert to manual workarounds that slow response times and strain resources. Even for agencies that refuse to pay, recovery efforts can be expensive, with forensic investigations, system rebuilds, and data restoration often costing millions of dollars.
The damage doesn’t stop there. Attackers frequently steal sensitive data before encrypting it, threatening to leak confidential case files, personnel records, or citizen information online. Meanwhile, the loss of system access can erode public trust, disrupt coordination between departments, and take months to fully restore. On average, municipal ransomware incidents lead to two to three weeks of downtime — an unacceptable gap for agencies tasked with protecting lives and maintaining public safety.
Prevention: Building Strong Defenses
The most effective defense against ransomware is preparation. Every agency, regardless of size, can take steps to strengthen its cybersecurity posture:
- Regular Software Updates: Apply patches and updates as soon as they’re available to close known vulnerabilities.
- Network Segmentation: Separate critical systems like CAD and RMS from general administrative networks to prevent lateral spread.
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Prevents unauthorized access, even if credentials are stolen.
- Employee Awareness Training: Since most attacks start with phishing, staff must be trained how to identify suspicious emails and links.
- Secure Backups: Maintain encrypted, offline, or cloud-based backups to ensure data can be restored quickly without paying a ransom.
- Adopt Frameworks: Utilize CISA’s Cyber Essentials or similar resources to establish a structured, affordable security baseline.
Small, consistent improvements in these areas can drastically reduce both the likelihood and the impact of a ransomware attack.
Response: What To Do If an Attack Happens
When ransomware strikes, speed and coordination are critical. Agencies should follow a clear, predefined plan:
- Isolate the Incident: Immediately disconnect infected systems from the network to contain the spread.
- Notify Authorities: Contact your IT team, state cybersecurity center, CISA, and the FBI’s Cyber Division for guidance.
- Prioritize Recovery: Identify mission-critical systems — such as CAD or RMS — for restoration first.
- Communicate Transparently: Keep internal teams and the public informed to maintain trust during recovery.
- Conduct a Post-Incident Review: Once systems are restored, analyze the breach to strengthen defenses and update protocols.
Having an incident response plan in place ensures that decisions are made quickly and effectively when every second counts.
How ARMS Strengthens Your Resilience
ARMS gives public safety agencies the secure foundation needed to prevent and recover from ransomware attacks. Hosted on Microsoft Azure Government, our cloud-based CAD/RMS platform operates in a CJIS-compliant environment purpose-built for sensitive law enforcement data — eliminating the risks of outdated on-premises systems.
With automated backups, disaster recovery, and continuous monitoring, ARMS ensures rapid restoration and proactive threat detection. By combining advanced protection with proven reliability, ARMS keeps agencies operational and confident that their systems, data, and communities are secure around the clock.
Stay Ahead of the Threat
Ransomware isn’t just an IT issue — it’s a public safety issue. When essential systems are compromised, response times slow, data access disappears, and community safety is put at risk.
Take action before the next attack. Evaluate your agency’s cyber readiness, update your response plan, and strengthen your defenses.
Contact ARMS today to learn how our secure, cloud-based solutions help agencies stay resilient, recover faster, and protect the services communities rely on most.
