ABSTRACT
This research concentrates on ransomware attacks and their effects in local government. With attacks dating back to the late 1980's, this classification of malware has shifted its focus from end-users to a more lucrative high-profile, big-game hunting style. This resurgence in recent years has proven that the size and variety of threats faced today needs solutions to efficiently identify and examine more comprehensive ransomware security strategies. In this research, the evidence dictates that it is necessary to broaden current security methods to protect local government and municipality systems as well as data from the ever-increasing number of ransomware attacks. In favor of this assertion, the beginning of the research will examine the evolution of ransomware, its damaging characteristics, and its advancements. Furthermore, the financial and economic impacts these attacks have on local governments is outlined. This will be fol-lowed by methodologies with results and findings to outline a wireless audit and a survey of government employees. Finally, defense-in-depth measures to mitigate the proliferation of ransomware outbreaks will be defined. © International Association for Computer Information Systems. All Rights Reserved.