Battling Government Cyber Threats: The Case for Passwordless Authentication at the State & Local Levels

It’s no secret—state and local government cyber threats in the United States have grown exponentially over the last decade. Unlike their federal counterparts, these government entities often operate on limited budgets, with aging infrastructure and overstretched IT teams. This makes them an attractive target for ransomware attacks, data breaches, and other cyber threats. In response, cybersecurity professionals are advocating for a move to more secure, modern authentication methods—like passwordless authentication via digital certificates—as a critical defense mechanism.

Common State & Local Government Cyber Threats

State and local governments face a diverse and growing array of cyber threats. Among the most pressing are:

1. Ransomware Attacks: These attacks lock down critical systems and demand payment to restore access. High-profile incidents, such as the ransomware attacks on Baltimore and Atlanta, highlight the vulnerability of municipalities and the devastating financial and operational impacts.
2. Phishing Campaigns: Cybercriminals use phishing to steal login credentials, giving them access to sensitive systems. Local governments, with their expansive employee bases, are particularly susceptible due to varying levels of cybersecurity training among staff.
3. Data Breaches: Sensitive information, such as residents’ personal data or government operations details, is a goldmine for attackers. A breach can lead to identity theft, financial fraud, and erosion of public trust.
4. Supply Chain Attacks: Threat actors exploit vulnerabilities in third-party vendors or contractors to infiltrate government networks. This tactic was notoriously employed in the SolarWinds attack.
5. DDoS (Distributed Denial-of-Service) Attacks: These attacks disrupt services by overwhelming systems with traffic. Essential public services, like 911 systems, can be brought to a standstill, endangering lives.

These threats are compounded by resource constraints. Many state and local governments cannot afford cutting-edge cybersecurity tools or the specialized expertise needed to fend off sophisticated attacks. Furthermore, legacy systems often lack modern protections, making them easy prey for attackers.

The Role of Authentication in Cybersecurity

Authentication is the gateway to systems and data, making it a critical focus for cybersecurity. Unfortunately, traditional password-based authentication is riddled with vulnerabilities. Weak or reused passwords, phishing, and brute-force attacks are common ways bad actors gain unauthorized access. For state and local governments, where thousands of employees and contractors may require system access, managing password security becomes a monumental challenge.

This is where passwordless authentication via digital certificates comes in. By eliminating passwords altogether, governments can significantly reduce their attack surface.

What Is Passwordless Authentication?

Passwordless authentication replaces traditional passwords with more secure and user-friendly alternatives. One of the most robust methods employs digital certificates. These certificates are cryptographic keys issued to users or devices, verifying their identity without relying on passwords. Digital certificates can be stored on devices like laptops, smartphones, or USB security tokens, and they’re validated against a public key infrastructure (PKI).

Mitigating Government Cyber Threats with Passwordless

1. Defending Against Phishing: Digital certificates render phishing attacks ineffective. Since there’s no password to steal, attackers can’t trick users into revealing credentials. Even if a malicious actor gains access to a device, they would need the private key to authenticate—something not easily extracted.
2. Eliminating Credential Theft: With no stored passwords to breach, passwordless systems close one of the largest vulnerabilities in traditional authentication. Even if attackers infiltrate a system, they can’t exfiltrate passwords because none exist.
3. Strengthening Ransomware Defenses: Many ransomware attacks begin with stolen credentials. By adopting certificate-based authentication, governments can prevent unauthorized access to systems, cutting off one of the primary entry points for ransomware.
4. Improving Endpoint Security: Digital certificates can be paired with device compliance policies. For instance, if a device doesn’t meet security standards, such as up-to-date patches or antivirus software, access is denied. This ensures that only secure, compliant devices connect to government networks.
5. Streamlining Supply Chain Security: By issuing digital certificates to third-party vendors and contractors, governments can enforce strict access controls. This reduces the risk of supply chain attacks by ensuring that only authorized entities can access sensitive systems.

Beyond Security: Operational Benefits

Passwordless authentication isn’t just more secure—it’s also more efficient. When combatting state and local government cyber threats, these additional benefits are game-changers:

• Simplified User Experience: Employees no longer need to remember or reset passwords, reducing frustration and productivity loss.
• Lower IT Costs: Fewer help desk calls for password resets mean IT teams can focus on higher-priority tasks.
• Scalability: PKI systems can scale across large, decentralized government operations, ensuring seamless access for employees, contractors, and vendors.

Implementing Passwordless Authentication in Government Agencies

Transitioning to passwordless authentication requires careful planning but is achievable even for resource-constrained governments. Key steps include:

1. Adopting PKI Infrastructure: Governments must establish or partner with a provider for robust PKI systems to issue and manage digital certificates.
2. Integrating Existing Systems: IT teams should focus on compatibility with legacy systems and modern platforms alike.
3. Training Staff: Employees and contractors must be educated on how to use digital certificates and why they’re essential for security.
4. Setting Compliance Policies: Governments should define clear device compliance and access policies to complement certificate-based authentication.

The Path Forward

State and local government cyber threats, while on the rise, can be effectively defended against. By embracing passwordless authentication via digital certificates, they can take a giant leap forward in securing their operations. While the journey requires investment and effort, the payoff—a significant reduction in cyber risk and enhanced trust from citizens—is well worth it.

In the face of increasingly sophisticated threats, the time to act is now. Cybersecurity isn’t just an IT issue; it’s a matter of public safety and trust. By adopting modern solutions like passwordless authentication, state and local governments can turn the tide against cyber adversaries and build a safer, more resilient digital future.