Do Son 
Cyberattacks on government institutions in the United States continue to escalate, causing widespread disruptions in the operations of courts, schools, and law enforcement agencies. In recent weeks, multiple municipalities have been targeted, leaving thousands of residents without access to essential services.
In Atchison County, Kansas, local authorities announced the closure of all government offices following the discovery of a cyber incident that compromised the county’s computer networks. Officials stated that an investigation and impact assessment were launched immediately after detecting the attack. The county is home to more than 16,000 residents.
In Cleveland, Ohio, three weeks after the breach of judicial systems, the Municipal Court remains inoperative, resulting in the postponement of dozens of scheduled court cases throughout March. A court employee reported that staff members still lack internet access, are forced to complete many tasks manually, and are unable to access the court’s website. Additionally, background checks have been suspended since the cyberattack on February 23.
The court was completely shut down for a week before resuming operations in a limited capacity. The Qilin ransomware group, notorious for targeting municipal entities and healthcare institutions in the United Kingdom, has claimed responsibility for the attack. Cleveland officials have yet to issue a formal statement on the matter.
Municipalities in the Northeastern United States have also fallen victim to recent cyber incidents. In Strafford County, New Hampshire, a region with a population of 133,000, disruptions in communication systems have persisted for several days. The attack was first detected on March 15, when staff at a nursing home were unable to access critical medical records. Currently, many of the county’s administrative services remain without email and telephone communication.
Meanwhile, Pelham School District (New Hampshire) has reported ongoing technical issues affecting its IT infrastructure. External cybersecurity experts have been brought in to mitigate the breach’s impact, yet portions of the system remain inaccessible. Teachers have reverted to using paper-based materials and preloaded digital resources to conduct lessons, while parents have been advised to expect possible delays in grading and academic progress reports.
Another cyber incident was reported at the Derby Police Department (Connecticut); however, details regarding its scope and impact remain undisclosed.
Analysts at Comparitech have highlighted a surge in cyberattacks on U.S. government entities. Over the past six years, 525 ransomware incidents have been recorded, resulting in estimated losses of $1.09 billion due to prolonged system outages.
