Date of Award

6-2020

Document Type

Project

Degree Name

Master of Science in Information Systems and Technology

Department

Information and Decision Sciences

First Reader/Committee Chair

Conrad Shayo PhD

Abstract

Cases of ransomware within local government agencies have become prevalent over the last decade. While solutions to ransomware are available, local government agencies are slow to implement such measures. As a result, local government agencies are among the most famous victims of ransomware. This project attempts to provide an answer for ransomware prevention within these agencies from a public policy perspective. To formulate this answer, the issues local governments face in combating ransomware are compared to the solutions implemented in the private sector. This project then analyzes the mechanisms local governments have at their disposal to implement such solutions through the public policy analysis process and provides a hypothetical policy agencies can use to combat ransomware. Finally, a real-world case study provides a context of what solutions local governments have implemented and where these agencies are falling short. This project found that policies focused on ransomware and cybersecurity at large are not being developed nor implemented within local government agencies. It is recommended that local government agencies should consider developing and implementing specific policies to combat ransomware and other cybersecurity crimes. .

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