Cleveland’s Residents’ Data Again at Risk Due to Weak Cybersecurity Practices at City Hall

Our 21st century world runs on data, which means the Cleveland city government must adopt a proactive plan to protect residents and critical infrastructure from cybersecurity threats and mismanagement of residents’ data.

In fact, Mohammad is the only Cleveland city council candidate this election cycle talking about consumer protection and cybersecurity on the campaign trail. He considers a commitment to enhancing consumer protection at city hall a key part of his Accessible City Services priority.

And it couldn’t come at a better time…

Consumer data protection is one of the most urgent challenges facing local governments today, especially in Cleveland where multiple cyberattacks and the mismanagement of residents’ data have already occurred just in the past year.

• Someone claiming to be the court hacker is demanding a $4 million ransom

• New cybersecurity requirements for local governments after cyberattacks, including 2 in Cleveland

• Cleveland City Hall attacked by ransomware — what does that mean?

• Fraudsters intercept and steal two Cleveland City Hall checks worth nearly $100k

“Bureaucracy and technology aren’t often considered compatible, but that doesn’t mean our city’s government shouldn’t prioritize having the best practices in place to navigate these threats against our residents’ data,” comments Mohammad on the city’s recent failures to protect residents’ data.

He continues,

“The more recent example of the city’s failure to consider this an essential city service issue is playing out right now in what appears to be a battle between the mayor’s office and city council.”

He is referring to the recent fight that spilled over into the public regarding the Bibb administration’s failure to adhere to data security recommended by the Ohio’s Attorney General. According to the administration, the fault is on the city council staffer that accessed the data, something the administration was made aware of back in May 2024.

“The city is now spending more of your tax dollars to hire an outside law firm to determine whether the city council staffer broke any laws, but I need our city’s leaders to instead focus on how we got here in the first place,” says Mohammad.

Having experience serving in compliance and risk management roles in the new and volatile industry of cryptocurrency, makes Mohammad an especially suitable candidate for navigating what appears to be the wild-wild-west when it comes to Cleveland adhering to consumer protection data standards.

“While we wait to receive more information about the drama playing out at city hall, I think it’s important to note that it is clear that the city is currently not prepared to handle the modern-day threats that our residents face in terms of cybersecurity threats or the mismanagement of consumer data.”

Mohammad continues,

“In this particular situation where the Bibb administration failed to protect residents’ data and a city council staffer is now being threatened with federal prosecution, we clearly need to revisit conversations about public records laws, document classification protocols and policies, internal controls, council oversight powers, staff training, and so much more.”

“The Bibb Administration prides itself on ‘modernizing city hall,’ well that also needs to mean safeguarding our critical infrastructure and resident data.”