Emergency communications operations are crucial to public health and safety; interruptions in service could result in loss of life. Because of the urgent nature of their operations, emergency communications centers (ECC) are high-value targets for cyber threat actors.
Since ransomware payments do not ensure data will be decrypted or that systems or data will no longer be compromised, federal law enforcement does not recommend paying ransom. In addition, the United States Department of the Treasury warns these payments run the risk of violating Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctions. Therefore, prevention is key.
Click on the icons below to find resources designed to help reduce the risk of ransomware.
Cyber Risks to Public Safety: Ransomware
An overview of how ransomware attacks function, the potential impact on emergency response operations, common cybersecurity vulnerabilities, best practices to help secure public safety networks, and reporting resources for organizations experiencing ransomware attacks.
Protecting Your Center from Ransomware Poster
A customizable poster that can be placed in an ECC, public safety answering point (PSAP), or 911 call or dispatch center that provides information about what staff can do to reduce the risk of ransomware.
CISA PSAP Ransomware Poster Fact Sheet
Provides an overview of Protecting Your Center from Ransomware poster and information on how to request an agency specific version.
#StopRansomware Guide
A joint project between CISA, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the National Security Agency (NSA), and the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC), in coordination with the Joint Ransomware Task Force (JRTF) that features best practices and ways to prevent, protect and/or respond to a ransomware attack. The updated, two-part guide includes ransomware and data extortion prevention best practices and a ransomware and data extortion response checklist.
For additional related resources, see:
For additional information on public safety communications and cyber resiliency, please contact CISA at PublicSafetyComms@cisa.dhs.gov.
For additional Public Safety Emergency Communications Resources visit SAFECOM Resources.
