LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Citing numerous cyberattacks that other cities have experienced recently which disrupted municipal operations and threatened public safety, a Los Angeles city councilwoman said today that L.A. should review the current strategies it implements to thwart hackers.
In a motion she introduced, Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez noted several serious cyberattacks, including in April 2017, when hackers were able to access Dallas' emergency warning sirens and set them off for approximately 90 minutes.
Atlanta also experienced a cyberattack in March, when a ransomware attack crippled city operations for five days.
The following week, a cyberattack breached Baltimore's 911 dispatch system, although it did not disrupt emergency operations, the motion says.
``As the city continues to apply technology to improve city services as a `smart city,' its systems become more complex and interdependent. While expanded interconnectivity and the ability to leverage an ever-increasing amount of data hold great promise, these advancements also present increased cybersecurity risks,'' the motion states. ``Breaches may impact a widening array of city operations from street lighting and traffic control to financial transactions.''
The motion would direct the Information Technology Agency to present a verbal report within 30 days on the city's current strategies to combat cyberattacks.
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