Government IT systems are high-value targets for cybercriminals and nation-state hackers. These networks store sensitive information, support critical infrastructures, and play a key role in national security. A successful cyberattack can disrupt essential services, expose personal information, and cost taxpayers millions.
Threats evolve quickly, with ransomware attacks, supply chain attacks, and phishing emails leading the charge. As government agencies adopt more digital tools like IoT devices, their attack surface grows. Defending against these risks requires a carefully considered mix of secure solutions, employee awareness, and strong incident response plans.
Here’s a look at five major cyber threats that pose serious cybersecurity threats to government IT systems.
Threat #1: Ransomware Attacks
Ransomware attacks have become a major weapon for threat actors targeting government agencies. These attacks involve malicious software that locks or encrypts files, holding them hostage until a ransom is paid. Many agencies, from local municipalities to federal departments, have been hit—crippling operations, delaying public services, and exposing sensitive information.
One reason these attacks are so effective is that government IT networks are often interconnected, making it easier for malware to spread. Threat actors gain initial access through phishing emails, exploiting weak passwords, or taking advantage of unpatched vulnerabilities in a computer system.
The City of Oakland, for example, suffered a ransomware attack in February 2023 that forced them to declare a state of emergency. The attack affected 22 million individuals, and over 600GB of confidential information was published on the dark web.
How to Defend Against Ransomware Attacks
- Regular Backups: Store encrypted backups offline to prevent malware from spreading.
- Email Security: Train employees to recognize phishing emails and block suspicious attachments.
- Patching and Updates: Keep all software and IoT devices up to date to eliminate vulnerabilities.
- Access Controls: Limit who can access critical systems to prevent unauthorized users from gaining access.
- Incident Response Plan: Have a clear strategy for containing and recovering from an attack.
Learn more about ransomware: How to Protect Student Data Against Ransomware Attacks
Threat #2: Nation-State Cyber Espionage
Governments store vast amounts of sensitive information, from intelligence reports to defense strategies. Nation-state hackers target these systems to steal data, disrupt operations, and gain political or economic advantages. Unlike cybercriminals seeking financial gain, these threat actors are often backed by foreign governments and have the resources to carry out long-term, highly sophisticated attacks.
One of the most common tactics used in cyberattacks of this nature is the phishing attack. Cybercriminals send convincing phishing emails to government employees, tricking them into clicking malicious links or downloading malicious software. Once inside the network, attackers move laterally, gaining access to more valuable data.
Check Point Software Technologies reported in its State of Global Cyber Security 2025 report that nation-state cyber warfare drove a 44% increase in cyberattacks last year, compared to 2023.
How to Defend Against Nation-State Cyber Espionage
- Phishing Prevention: Train employees to recognize and report phishing emails.
- Zero Trust Security: Assume no user or device is automatically trustworthy, requiring continuous verification.
- Network Segmentation: Limit gaining access to sensitive data by isolating critical systems.
- Threat Intelligence: Monitor for signs of threat actors targeting your infrastructure.
Learn more about IT strategies: The Importance of Strategic IT Planning for Government
Threat #3: Supply Chain Attacks
Not all cyber threats come from direct attacks on government networks. Supply chain attacks exploit weaknesses in third-party vendors, software providers, or contractors to infiltrate government agencies. Because public institutions often rely on the private sector for technology and infrastructure, these attacks can be difficult to detect and devastating when successful.
Hackers may compromise a vendor’s computer system, inserting malicious software into legitimate updates or products. When governments install the tainted software, attackers gain access to internal systems, bypassing traditional security defenses.
Beyond software, hardware vulnerabilities in IoT devices also present risks. A compromised surveillance camera or smart sensor could serve as an entry point into a secure network.
The infamous SolarWinds supply chain attack, for example, saw over 18,000 SolarWinds customers install updates containing malicious code that hackers used to steal private data and spy on other organizations.
How to Defend Against Supply Chain Attacks
- Vendor Risk Assessments: Evaluate suppliers’ security practices before integrating their technology.
- Software Integrity Checks: Verify the authenticity of updates and patches before deployment.
- IoT Security Controls: Secure IoT devices with strong authentication and network segmentation.
- Threat Monitoring: Continuously scan for unusual activity linked to third-party connections.
Threat #4: Insider Threats
Not all cyber threats come from external cybercriminals. Sometimes, the danger comes from within. Government agencies face risks from insiders—employees, contractors, or partners—who have direct access to computer systems and sensitive information.
These threats can be intentional, such as a disgruntled worker stealing data, or unintentional, like an employee falling for a phishing attack. Even lower-level breaches can have serious consequences, leading to data breaches that compromise national security.
How to Defend Against Insider Threats
- Access Controls: Limit employee access based on job roles and need-to-know policies.
- Behavior Monitoring: Use AI-driven tools to detect suspicious activity within computer systems.
- Phishing Training: Reduce the risk of accidental breaches by training staff on phishing emails.
- Data Encryption: Encrypt sensitive and personal information so that even if stolen, it remains unreadable.
Threat #5: DDoS Attacks
A Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack floods a network with excessive traffic, overwhelming servers and shutting down critical services. For government agencies, these attacks can disrupt essential functions like emergency response systems, voter registration platforms, and public health databases.
Unlike other cyberattacks, DDoS doesn’t necessarily involve gaining access to data. Instead, the goal is disruption—whether for political motives, hacktivism, or as a diversion for other attacks like data breaches or ransomware attacks.
Attackers often use botnets—networks of infected IoT devices—to amplify these attacks, making them harder to stop. The larger the botnet, the more damage it can cause.
In March 2024, several Alabama government websites were hit by DDoS attacks that slowed services or even forced legitimate users off the site.
How to Defend Against DDoS Attacks
- Traffic Filtering: Use advanced threat detection to block suspicious traffic before it reaches servers.
- Cloud-Based Protection: Utilize secure cloud solutions that absorb and distribute attack traffic.
- IoT Device Security: Prevent attackers from hijacking IoT devices by securing them with strong authentication.
Do you work in healthcare? Learn more about the state of cybersecurity in healthcare: 2024’s Top Healthcare Cyberattacks: Prevention Plan for 2025
Next Steps: Take a Proactive Stance Against Government Cyber Threats
Cyber threats against government agencies are only growing more sophisticated as hackers find new ways to infiltrate systems, steal personal information, and disrupt national security.
At Davenport Group, we specialize in providing IT support and cybersecurity services for government operations. Our security experts will help you build long-term resilience and strengthen defenses against these insidious threats. Reach out to us for a consultation, and prevent cyberattacks before they can strike.
