Case Study: How the City of Hamilton Took Control of Its Cybersecurity

The Challenge:

In 2019, the City of Hamilton found itself under siege by a devastating ransomware attack. Like many municipalities across the United States, they faced an evolving cyber threat landscape without prior experience managing such a crisis. The attack highlighted vulnerabilities in their IT systems and created immense anxiety within the team, unsure of how to respond or prevent further damage. The city needed a way to regain control, protect its operations, and restore confidence.

A Partnership to Strengthen Defenses

To take on the challenge, the City of Hamilton sought out help from SecureCyber, a local trusted cybersecurity expert with experience helping local governments navigate the complex world of cyber warfare. Together, they created a plan to address the immediate crisis and build a stronger, more resilient defense for the future.

The Path to Security and Resilience

1. Step One: Rapid Response

• With SecureCyber as their guide, the City of Hamilton relied on SecureCyber tools, methods and cyber knowledge to quickly assess the breach, contain the ransomware, and stop further damage. This immediate action stabilized the situation, empowering the city to take back control.

2. Step Two: Building a Stronger Foundation

• A tailored cybersecurity roadmap was created, designed specifically for Hamilton’s needs. This included strengthening IT infrastructure, improving threat monitoring, and implementing proactive defenses to prevent similar attacks.

3. Step Three: Ongoing Support

• The city’s IT staff partnered with SecureCyber to manage critical systems, such as firewalls and switches. With continuous monitoring in place, the team could focus on strategic initiatives instead of worrying about day-to-day security threats.

The Results: Hamilton as a Cybersecurity Leader

Restored Confidence and Peace of Mind
Hamilton’s IT team transformed their operations, going from reactive to proactive. They now feel prepared for future threats and no longer operate in fear of “what’s next.”

Operational Efficiency
With ongoing support for routine security management, Hamilton’s IT staff have the bandwidth to focus on innovation and improving services for their residents.

A Trusted Approach
The partnership with SecureCyber gave Hamilton the guidance they needed during and after a cyber crisis, building trust in their systems and creating a safer environment for their operations and constituents.

Key Takeaways

1. A Fast Response is Imperative

• With the right plan and support, Hamilton’s leadership showed that even in the face of an unfamiliar threat, it’s possible to act decisively and regain control.

2. A Strong Cybersecurity Strategy is a Game-Changer

• The city’s new roadmap ensures their defenses are stronger and better equipped to handle future attacks.

3. The Right Partner Makes All the Difference

• By partnering with an expert, Hamilton’s IT team could focus on their broader mission while still ensuring the safety and security of their network.

4. Proactive Monitoring Brings Peace of Mind

• Hamilton no longer waits for threats to arrive—they are now prepared to address them before they can cause harm.