Columbus – A cybersecurity expert from Auditor of State Dave Yost’s office will lead a free training seminar Wednesday in Piqua (Miami County) to help law enforcement and local government officials combat the growing threat of cyberattacks on government. The training will be held as follows:

Miami County Cybersecurity Training
Location:
Edison State Community College
1973 Edison Dr.
Piqua, OH 45356

“Hackers are becoming more and more sophisticated and are looking for data-rich targets,” Auditor Yost said. “Governments by the very nature of what they do have a great deal of information that these cybercriminals are after. We need to do all we can to help local leaders strengthen their governments to protect data and the interests of the public they serve.”

“We have the ability to help local leaders prevent personal information from getting into the hands of wrongdoers, and that’s why we’re doing this training,” said Auditor Yost.

The Piqua training is one of several trainings the Auditor’s office is hosting across the state in partnership with local sheriffs. Morning sessions are limited to law enforcement officials; afternoon sessions are designed for local government officials.

The trainings feature interactive demonstrations of live attacks and cover important topics such as:

• How and why governments and their computers are attacked
• How to minimize the risk of falling victim
• How to spot digital threats
• What steps to take following an attack
• How bitcoin works

The trainings are presented by Nicole Beckwith, an investigator and digital forensic examiner for the Auditor’s office. Beckwith is a recognized expert on cybersecurity, policy, cyberterrorism and is trained in computer forensics, network investigations and network intrusion response.

In response to a growing number of cyberattacks on government, Auditor Yost urged officials in June 2016 to take precautionary measures. His call for action came after a number of local governments were targeted and defrauded. Some of the victims had to pay a ransom to regain control of their data. 

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The Auditor of State’s office, one of five independently elected statewide offices in Ohio, is responsible for auditing more than 5,900 state and local government agencies.  Under the direction of Auditor Dave Yost, the office also provides financial services to local governments, investigates and prevents fraud in public agencies and promotes transparency in government.

Contact:
Beth Gianforcaro
Press Secretary
614-644-1111