State Auditor wants better cybersecurity for local and state governments - 96.3 KKOB
New Mexico officials are taking new steps to strengthen cybersecurity protections for local governments, with State Auditor Joseph Maestas announcing enhanced testing requirements to be introduced next spring.
The enhanced testing requirements will apply to city and county computer systems throughout New Mexico. According to Maestas, his office has received 30 cybersecurity complaints since 2023, and cyberattacks cost New Mexico governments and businesses approximately $85 million last year.
The announcement follows recent cyber incidents affecting UNM Hospital and the Town of Bernalillo, where some municipal computer systems remain disrupted. These attacks highlight the growing threat to public sector infrastructure.
future testing will focus on the areas considered most vulnerable to cyber threats
The State Auditor's office aims to identify vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors.
Local governments will have several months to prepare for the new requirements, which are expected to become mandatory for all municipalities in New Mexico. The initiative represents a significant step in protecting public services from increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.
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