Security News > 2021 > July > White House urges mayors to review local govts’ cybersecurity posture
Image: Srikanta H. U. Following recent ransomware attacks, Deputy National Security Advisor Anne Neuberger asked US mayors to immediately hold a meeting with state agencies' chiefs to evaluate their cybersecurity posture.
Local governments have been under a constant barrage of ransomware attacks during the last few years as highlighted by an FBI public service announcement issued last year.
The chief cybersecurity adviser "Urged mayors to immediately convene heads of state agencies to review their cybersecurity posture and continuity plans," according to a readout of Neuberger's virtual meeting with the bipartisan US Conference of Mayors reads.
The White House National Security Council chief cybersecurity adviser added that the Biden Administration is ready to provide local and state governments with all the federal resources needed to respond to cybersecurity incidents.
Cybersecurity experts from both the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency are ready to provide their assistance at all times following such events.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki added during a briefing on the Biden administration's policy agenda that the US would take action against cybercriminal groups behind recent ransomware attacks if "The Russian government cannot or will not."