Manufacturing Works and CyberWyoming Urge Wyoming Citizens and Businesses to Take a Proactive Stance on Cybersecurity
Manufacturing Works and CyberWyoming are calling on Wyoming citizens, businesses, and government entities to take immediate, proactive steps to bolster their cybersecurity posture. In light of recent cyber incidents impacting our state, it is imperative that we work together to strengthen digital defenses and protect our communities from cyber threats.
Cyber threats are evolving at an unprecedented rate, targeting businesses of all sizes, government agencies, and individuals alike. From ransomware attacks on hospitals to personal data breaches and disruptions in state operations, Wyoming has witnessed firsthand the costly and disruptive impact of cybercrime. The increasing reliance on digital infrastructure makes cybersecurity a critical priority for every sector.
Recent Cyber Attacks, Tech Disruptions, and Privacy Concerns in Wyoming
- July 2024 – State Government Disruption: A global outage caused by a software update glitch from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike impacted Wyoming’s executive branch agencies, including the Department of Health and Homeland Security. The malfunction led to computers repeatedly rebooting, disrupting services across 49 agencies, including the governor’s office.
- March 2024 – Healthcare Ransomware Attack: Teton Orthopaedics, a Jackson, WY-based provider, suffered a breach affecting 13,409 individuals. Compromised data included names, addresses, birth dates, health insurance details, and medical records, with some also losing IDs, Social Security numbers, and financial information—highlighting growing vulnerabilities in healthcare cybersecurity. In response, the organization strengthened its defenses with multifactor authentication, stricter password policies, and hardware upgrades.
- January 2025 – Cyber Attack Thwarted: The Laramie County Library experienced a failed ransomware attack when phones, computers, and emails stopped working. The attackers, Akira, are known for similar incidents nationwide. While the ransom note directed the library to the dark web, no specific demands were made. Thankfully, due to strong preparedness, the library quickly restored operations using a recent backup, losing no data. With cyber threats on the rise, this incident highlights the importance of proactive cybersecurity measures, especially against phishing scams that often use AI to impersonate trusted contacts.
- Ongoing Concerns – Exploitation of Wyoming LLCs: There is growing concern about cybercriminals exploiting Wyoming’s favorable regulations for forming Limited Liability Companies (LLCs). The state’s user-friendly and cost-effective LLC registration process has inadvertently provided anonymity for cybercriminals, enabling them to conduct illicit activities such as Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks.
Why Cybersecurity Matters for Wyoming
- Protecting Critical Infrastructure: Wyoming’s economy depends on the security of its industries, including manufacturing, energy, agriculture, and technology. Cyberattacks on these sectors can result in financial losses, operational shutdowns, and compromised sensitive data.
- Safeguarding Personal and Financial Information: Individuals must take action to secure their personal data, as identity theft and financial fraud continue to rise.
- Enhancing Business Resilience: Small and medium-sized businesses are prime targets for cybercriminals due to limited security resources. Implementing robust cybersecurity practices ensures business continuity and customer trust.
- Strengthening Government and Public Services: Government entities must prioritize cybersecurity to prevent service disruptions and protect confidential citizen data.
Proactive Steps for Wyoming Residents and Businesses
Manufacturing Works and CyberWyoming recommend the following key actions to improve cybersecurity resilience:
- Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) – Strengthen access security by requiring multiple verification steps for logins.
- Regularly Update Software and Systems – Keep operating systems, antivirus software, and applications up to date to defend against known vulnerabilities.
- Educate Employees and Individuals – Cyber awareness training can prevent phishing attacks and social engineering scams.
- Implement Data Backup and Recovery Plans – Regularly back up data and store it securely to ensure business continuity in case of an attack.
- Use Strong Passwords and a Password Manager – Avoid reusing passwords and consider using a password manager for secure storage.
- Monitor and Respond to Threats – Set up network monitoring, respond swiftly to suspicious activity, and have an incident response plan in place.
Join Us in Strengthening Wyoming’s Cybersecurity
Manufacturing Works and CyberWyoming are committed to helping businesses and individuals improve their cybersecurity posture. We encourage organizations to take advantage of cybersecurity resources, training, and best practices. Wyoming’s strength lies in our ability to adapt and work together to protect our businesses, government, and personal information.
To learn more about cybersecurity best practices and available resources, visit https://manufacturing-works.com/ or https://cyberwyoming.org/.
Together, we can build a more secure digital future for Wyoming!
