Ransomware attacks against medical practices, government agencies and utilities have led Florida state officials to significantly bolster the state's cybersecurity systems, The Center Square reports.
A $100 billion Fiscal Year 2022 budget signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on June 2 included $37.5 million in cybersecurity funding.
The move comes after a nationwide spike in ransomware attacks. In 2019, the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office lost evidence after a ransomware infection and the state attorney's office dropped 11 narcotic cases after evidence was lost in a ransomware attack against the Stuart Police Department, according to the report.
Medical practices have also had to up their cybersecurity. Florida Orthopaedic Institute, a 150-plus provider group, is being sued for $99 million by patients and former patients who were affected by a ransomware attack against the Tampa-based practice last year.
The lawsuit, filed June 30, alleges that the group did not secure protected health information properly and seeks long-term identity theft protection.