Enhanced Cyber Resilience as a Secure Cyber City

As municipalities integrate digital solutions to improve services, they encounter escalating cybersecurity threats. Critical infrastructure like water, power, and transportation systems are at risk of cyber attacks that can severely disrupt operations. Municipalities are particularly vulnerable to ransomware, where essential data or services are held hostage for payment. Weaknesses in the cybersecurity of vendors and partners can lead to widespread service disruptions. Moreover, the threat of sophisticated, coordinated attacks by nation-state actors is on the rise.

In response to these challenges, the Center for Internet Security^® (CIS^®) launched Secure Cyber City™. This initiative aims to bolster the cyber defenses of small to mid-sized cities through tailored solutions, technical support, and collaborative efforts.

The Challenge: Create Customized Community-Based Cybersecurity Solutions Despite Resource Limitations

During an 18-month pilot program with the city of Stamford, CT, the Secure Cyber City initiative showcased the power of city-wide collaboration in securing critical infrastructure and promoting a cybersecurity-aware culture. The program concentrated on enhancing cyber resilience, particularly among seniors, operators of critical infrastructure, and other groups frequently targeted by cyber threats.

The Stamford pilot revealed challenges that municipalities across the country face, highlighting the need for community-based solutions. Those challenges included difficulty implementing technical recommendations due to resource limitations, the underuse of available automated tools, and reluctance to share data due to concerns of confidentiality.

To meet demand, the Secure Cyber City program developed plans for comprehensive engagement, resource allocation, and enhanced feedback systems.

Comprehensive Engagement

Stamford’s public library system successfully collaborated with CIS to host cybersecurity awareness seminars for residents, bridging the knowledge gap for community members and small business owners alike.

Resource Allocation

Stamford partnered with a regional economic development agency to secure grants for cybersecurity improvements, enabling wider participation among smaller organizations.

Enhanced Feedback Systems

CIS implemented post-training feedback forms and one-on-one follow-ups, improving the customization of future sessions.

The Solution: Tailored Solutions, Capacity Building, and Community Engagement

Cybersecurity threats pose significant risks to small and mid-size cities, necessitating proactive measures to protect critical infrastructure and community assets. CIS worked closely with Stamford's local government and community stakeholders through customized technical support, hands-on training, and proactive infrastructure protection to tackle pressing cybersecurity challenges. The partnership with Stamford showcased the need for tailored solutions, capacity building, and community engagement.

Key milestones from the pilot included:

• Vulnerability Assessments: Securing critical networks, including Stamford’s water management systems and public transportation
• Incident Response Preparedness: Hands-On training in ransomware attack simulations for the city’s IT department and the implementation of intelligence threat sharing with the city that provides defense against malware and ransomware actors
• Public Awareness Campaigns: Educating local businesses and residents on phishing risks through co-branded initiatives with the city of Stamford

Expanding Awareness Through Community Threat Briefings

Stamford’s diverse community stakeholders — private enterprises, public services, senior groups, and critical infrastructure operators — requested customized approaches to understand and address cyber risks. CIS launched a series of community threat briefings throughout the pilot to meet this need.

1. Private Sector Outreach: CIS engaged Stamford’s business community through targeted workshops for small businesses and nonprofits. These sessions covered emerging threats such as business email compromise and ransomware, providing practical, budget-friendly recommendations for mitigating risks.
2. Critical Infrastructure Engagement: Operators of Stamford’s public transportation and water systems received specialized briefings on threats specific to operational technology (OT) environments. CIS equipped them with tools for continuous monitoring and endpoint protection, helping to secure vital services against disruptions.
3. Public Sector and City Departments: With cyber attacks increasingly targeting municipal services, CIS provided Stamford’s IT staff with technical briefings on threat intelligence integration and incident response protocols.
4. Senior & Underserved Communities: Recognizing that older residents are often targets of cyber scams, CIS and the Stamford public library collaborated to deliver threat briefings explicitly designed for seniors. These sessions focused on detecting phishing schemes, protecting sensitive information, and reporting suspicious activity.

These tailored engagements enhanced Stamford’s cybersecurity readiness by creating informed, proactive stakeholders across the city.

The Impact: A Blueprint for Long-Term Resilience

Building on the pilot’s momentum, CIS and Stamford plan to host a Whole of Stamford Tabletop Exercise (TTX) in Spring 2025. This exercise is designed to simulate a city-wide cyber incident, testing the response capabilities of key stakeholders, including:

• City government agencies and IT teams
• Emergency management departments
• Critical infrastructure operators
• Private sector and community leaders

The TTX will focus on scenarios involving ransomware, data breaches, and disruptions to critical services. Participants will evaluate their response coordination, identify gaps, and refine incident response protocols in real time.

The insights gained from the pilot program and the TTX will be the foundation for the "Cybersecurity Strategic Framework," a comprehensive plan guiding Stamford's cybersecurity investments and resource allocation over the coming years. This framework will include:

• Defined Cybersecurity Goals: Clear, actionable objectives to address evolving threats
• Budget and Resource Alignment: Prioritized investments in critical areas such as endpoint protection, training, and threat monitoring
• Collaborative Action Plans: Strategies to sustain long-term engagement among city departments, businesses, and community organizations

By integrating lessons learned from the pilot, CIS and Stamford aim to establish a scalable model that other cities can adopt as they build resilient digital environments.

What’s Next: Scaling Secure Cyber City Nationwide

The Secure Cyber City program reflects the core CIS mission: protecting organizations from cyber threats and building long-term resilience. By sharing lessons learned from Stamford and continuously evolving the program, CIS is set to empower municipalities with the tools they need to protect their digital assets going forward.