Let’s talk plain. In municipal government, the only thing more dangerous than a ransomware attack is thinking it won’t happen to you.
I spent 25 years working in Village Hall. I know the pressure you’re under—balancing compliance deadlines, resident expectations, board politics, and an IT setup that’s usually held together by duct tape and good intentions. So when I say the myths below are risky, I don’t mean in theory. I mean these myths can cost you your job, your reputation, and your community’s trust.
Here are five cybersecurity assumptions that local governments can’t afford to make:
Myth #1: “We’re Too Small to Be a Target.”
Actually, you’re the perfect target. Hackers love municipalities because they’re small, underfunded, and rarely monitored 24/7.
In Illinois alone, we’ve seen townships, libraries, and even public safety departments hit by ransomware—shutting down email, exposing personnel files, and grinding critical services to a halt. The average ransom? Around $100K. And that doesn’t count the cost of lost productivity, public trust, or legal messes.
So yes, you are a target. Pretending otherwise is a risk you can’t justify.
Myth #2: “If It Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It.”
Legacy systems may be stable—but they’re also vulnerable. The truth is, cybersecurity isn’t a one-time setup. It’s a living, breathing process.
Every time your staff changes, your attack surface does too. Every new FOIA request, Zoom meeting, or online utility bill creates another possible breach. What worked five years ago—or even five months ago—isn’t enough today.
Cybercrime evolves by the hour. Your protection has to evolve with it.
Myth #3: “We’ve Got a Strong Password Policy—We’re Good.”
Passwords matter, but they’re just the start. If you’re still relying on passwords alone, you’re leaving the front door wide open.
The better path? Unique passwords stored in a manager, plus multi-factor authentication (MFA) across all accounts. It adds seconds to a login—but could save you from weeks of downtime.
And here’s the kicker: even good password hygiene won’t stop phishing, malware, or an outdated firewall. That’s why partnering with an MSP who specializes in municipal systems is your best line of defense.
Myth #4: “Security Slows Us Down.”
This one’s personal for a lot of department heads. The fire chief doesn’t want roadblocks. The public works director needs uptime, not IT red tape.
But here’s the truth: strong cybersecurity is a form of business continuity. Done right, it speeds things up. It prevents outages. It keeps email, records, and emergency services running when the pressure’s highest.
Security isn’t a luxury. It’s part of service delivery.
Myth #5: “We Can Handle This In-House.”
Bless the one-person IT teams doing heroic work behind the scenes. But cybersecurity requires 24/7 monitoring, regular audits, training, and up-to-date compliance reporting. No single person can do it all—and they shouldn’t have to.
A trusted Managed Services Provider (MSP) can extend your internal team, catch vulnerabilities before they become headlines, and help you sleep better at night.
Final Word: Confidence Isn’t Just for Passwords
If you’re a Village Manager or department head feeling like IT falls on your plate (but not in your job description), you’re not alone. You deserve a tech partner who explains things clearly, responds fast, and keeps you in control—not in crisis.
Let’s start with a no-pressure, 10-minute conversation. We’ll map out where your village is at—and what simple next steps can protect your staff, residents, and reputation.
📞 Call 877-795-4801 or https://rwksolvesit.com/discoverycall/ to schedule.
