Hackers Pummel State Governments as US Cyber Support Dries Up

Here is a 192-word summary of the news article: Hackers are increasingly targeting state governments across the United States, taking advantage of a lack of federal cybersecurity support. As the Biden administration has shifted focus to national security threats, state and local governments have been left to fend for themselves against a rising tide of ransomware attacks and data breaches. Experts warn that state IT systems are poorly equipped to handle these sophisticated threats, with many states lacking adequate funding, personnel, and tools to defend against cyberattacks. This vulnerability has led to a surge in successful hacks, with hackers exploiting outdated software and inadequate security measures to compromise sensitive government data and systems. The article cites several high-profile incidents, including a ransomware attack that crippled the city of Baltimore for weeks and a breach that exposed the personal information of millions of North Carolina residents. While the federal government has provided some assistance, state officials argue that more comprehensive support is needed to address the growing cybersecurity crisis facing local governments across the country.