How common are ransomware attacks? US lawmakers want to find out

Most states don't laws requiring public agencies to report cyberattacks. — Dreamstime/TNS

After his local library had to shut down because of a ransomware attack, Indiana state Rep. Mike Karickhoff realised the state didn’t know much about the frequency of such security breaches.

Spurred by similar crimes across Indiana last year, he decided to author a bill requiring all public agencies to report cyberattacks to the state.