Kansas

A ransomware attack that crippled the city of Wichita's network for more than a month starting in May was limited to a Wichita Police Department records system, city officials said Wednesday.

A federal grand jury has indicted a North Korean national for his part in an alleged hacking and extortion conspiracy that targeted a Kansas hospital, NASA, U.S. Air Force bases and health-care entities from Colorado to Florida.

Plus, Washington launched a digital equity dashboard, Kansas announced funding for digital literacy, a Center for Tribal Digital Sovereignty was launched, and more.

Legislation pending before Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, touted to lawmakers by the safety company ZeroEyes, would earmark $5 million in grants for schools to buy security systems that comply with security industry standards.

The city of Wichita has shut down its computer network in response to a cyber attack, leaving some city services temporarily unavailable and requiring first responders to switch to backup procedures.

A recent cyber attack on the state court system underscored the need to boost government defenses. The bill would also bring more consolidation to executive branch IT operations.

In the wake of a foreign cyber attack last year that impacted the state’s online court system, lawmakers are considering a bill that would set timelines for agencies to meet national cybersecurity standards and penalize those that do not.

Today, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly announced the appointment of John Godfrey to take the role of state chief information security officer. Godfrey takes over for Jeff Maxon, who was recently appointed to a new position.

Plus, registration has closed for Net Inclusion 2024, Oklahoma and Kansas get funding for broadband, and a report seeks to uncover the best broadband technology investment.

Kansas State University has restored its email service, VPN and authenticated wireless services in the wake of a Jan. 14 cyber attack, although IT is fielding many tech support calls as all eID passwords must be reset.

Kansas State University President Richard Linton addressed the Kansas Board of Regents regarding a cybersecurity breach Wednesday involving network systems such as VPN, K-State Today emails, Canvas and Mediasite.

The cyber attack that shuttered online access to Kansas courts for months was orchestrated by affiliates of a Russian-based ransomware group, Kansas Chief Justice Marla Luckert said on Wednesday.

Plus, a new survey has found that more than 80 percent of respondents have high-speed Internet through fiber; the Pittsburgh Digital Equity Coalition has released a new strategic plan; and more.

The new facility will improve the performance of regional Internet services and allow local and regional networks to exchange data traffic, cloud services and content networks with each other.

Plus, the New York State Library is preparing to hold a digital equity roundtable, a report details the lack of Internet at rural Pennsylvania schools, and more.

Following a cybersecurity incident, the online portals that are used to search court cases there have been down statewide, leaving attorneys and judges unable to access their own records.

It has been nearly three weeks since an unexplained security incident shuttered Kansas’ online court system, blocking public and internal access to an untold number of court cases and records.

Meanwhile, Florida's First Judicial Circuit Court system announced plans to cancel and reschedule some proceedings following a separate cyber attack earlier in the month.