State office aims to address cyberattacks INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Indiana has launched the Office of Cybersecurity to prevent cyberattacks and improve emergency response efforts as threats to local governments, schools and businesses grow. The office operates within the Indiana Department of Homeland Security. Alyssa Schroeder serves as the interim director. “Cybersecurity, unfortunately, continues to be a real threat to the state,” Schroeder said. The office will coordinate with state agencies, including the Indiana State Police, Indiana National Guard and the Indiana Office of Technology. It also will work with local governments and private companies. Schroeder said the primary threats come from hackers looking to disrupt essential services such as water, energy, banking and telecommunications. Artificial intelligence also poses a threat, specifically regarding scams and sophisticated attacks. “We know the attacks are coming stronger, better, faster,” Schroeder said. “How can we be ready for that?” Cyberattacks often lead to identity theft and financial loss. Schroeder noted that the new office aims to protect private businesses because their failure can have severe consequences for the public. For example, a breach at a grocery store could prevent citizens from buying food or accessing banking services. A recent report found that 58% of small and midsized business executives consider data breaches a greater concern than fires, floods and physical break-ins combined. Public records also show that taxpayer money often pays for repairs when a school or government agency suffers an attack. The office plans to provide partners with resources and information to prevent these incidents. Officials are searching for a permanent director to lead the team of two to three employees. “We really want this office to be a coordinator function,” Schroeder said. 8 steps to protect your identity Source: Identity Theft Resource Center Monitor credit reports: Regularly check credit reports and freeze credit to catch and prevent unauthorized activity. Secure digital accounts: Use unique passwords, passkeys and multi-factor authentication with an authenticator app. Protect personal documents: Shred sensitive paperwork, securely store important documents and handle public personal information with care. Stay safe online and by phone: Avoid phishing scams, never share personal information unsolicited and keep devices updated with security software. Be wary of social engineering: Limit sharing on social media and use strong privacy settings to prevent targeted scams. Verify before buying or disposing: Ensure websites and payment devices are secure and erase personal data from electronics before discarding. Monitor medical and insurance records: Review medical statements to detect and report suspicious activity. Act immediately if you suspect theft: Report suspected identity theft quickly to banks, police and credit bureaus. ...read more read less