Cyber Criminals are Now Targeting Fire Districts More Than Ever
Fire Departments have long been experts at managing operational risks, and risk management is deeply rooted in the fire service. We can look back at decades of standards, resources, policies and procedures that address emergency vehicle operations, fireground safety, EMS, rescue and more.
Technology is playing a bigger and bigger role in fire service operations every day: staffing, incident reporting, billing, payroll, records management and communication. Advanced technology is now embedded in lifesaving EMS equipment, ambulances and apparatus.
And as fast as new technologies are being adopted in the fire service, cyber risks are increasing even faster. Viruses, ransomware, fraudulent wire transfers and stolen logins are no longer just movie plots – they are happening in fire stations every day.
So as cyber risks have moved from rare concerns to routine exposures, has your organization’s posture on cyber risk management evolved as well?
Why Fire Districts Are Being Targeted by Cyber Criminals
Cybercriminals are opportunistic. While they target businesses in general, there have been increased attacks on public entities over time because threatening or suspending critical public safety operations can give them leverage in extortion situations. Cyber criminals look for organizations that:
- provide critical public services,
- must restore operations quickly,
- rely on small teams and tight budgets,
- often have aging systems or limited IT staffing.
Furthermore, fire and emergency service organizations can also hold or handle sensitive information (personnel data, medical-related reports, billing data, incident records), making them attractive targets.
The True Cost of a Cyber Incident (With or Without Insurance)
A cyber event isn’t just “a computer issue” any more. While ransom amounts make headlines, the total cost is often far higher than the demand itself and recovery can be the true budget-breaker.
Cyber events can trigger multiple layers of cost, including:
- Operational downtime (dispatch support systems, scheduling, reporting, emails)
- Urgent IT and forensic response
- System restoration and recovery
- Notification requirements (depending on the data involved)
- Public relations and reputational damage
- Potential legal and regulatory expenses
- Extortion demands from cyber criminals from ransomware
- Direct loss of money through fraudulent bank transactions
Cyber Risk vs. Auto Risk: The Same Risk-Management Logic Applies
Fire Departments don’t wait until after an accident occurs to start training drivers – drivers receive rigorous training to qualify to operate emergency vehicles. Cyber risk management requires the same mindset: don’t wait for an incident to occur before you start preparing.
Does your organization have a training officer? An EVOC instructor? A safety committee? Most likely.
How does your organization assess and address cyber risks? Do you have a cyber training officer or a technology committee? Your District’s auto risk management program can provide valuable insight into structuring your cyber risk management program – there are many parallels.
Auto Risk Management
Cyber Risk Management
Perform Routine Maintenance
Keep systems updated with patches and security updates
Train drivers and enforce safe driving standards
Train staff to recognize phishing, scams, and unsafe tech behavior
Keep vehicles inspected and road-ready
Monitor systems, passwords, backups and access permissions
Carry auto insurance for crashes and liability
Carry cyber insurance for ransomware, breaches, and recovery
Investigate near-misses and adjust procedures
Learn from suspicious emails/events and strengthen controls
Manage who can drive district vehicles
Control who can access systems, accounts and sensitive data
Training Officer
Cyber Training Officer
EVOC Instructor
IT Consultant
Safety Committee
Technology Committee
Practical Cyber Prevention: “Driver Training” for Your IT Network and Digital Assets
It is not possible to prevent every cyber event, but with strong fundamentals, many incidents can be prevented or their impacts minimized.
Here are some elements to consider when you are evaluating your organization’s cyber risk management program:
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Requires a second verification step so stolen passwords alone don’t unlock systems. - Regular Patching and Updates
Outdated systems create openings attackers actively search for. - Email Security + Phishing Awareness Training
Most incidents start with a deceptive email or stolen credentials. - Strong Password Practices
Use long passwords and avoid reusing logins across multiple systems. - Backups (and Testing Them)
Backups are only valuable if they can be restored quickly when needed. - Limit Administrative Access
Not everyone needs “full access,” and limiting privileges reduces damage. - Have an Incident Response Plan
Know who to call, what systems to shut down, and how to communicate fast.
What Cyber Liability Coverage Often Covers
There was a time when cyber risks felt distant and cyber insurance felt optional.
Just as the number of cars and drivers has grown over time, the number of cyber events continues to grow, and the reasons to purchase cyber insurance have started to look more like the reasons to purchase auto coverage:
- You don’t buy auto insurance because you plan to crash,
- You buy it because crashes happen—and the financial impact is too big to absorb.
Cyber insurance policies vary. Here are common coverage highlights and what they mean in practice:
- Security & Privacy Liability
Coverage for claims alleging the district failed to protect sensitive information or systems. - Security Failure
Coverage tied to breakdowns in network security that cause harm (such as unauthorized access). - Privacy Events
Coverage for incidents where confidential data is exposed, stolen, or improperly accessed. - Event Management Coverage
Support for the cost of managing the incident itself—often including breach response specialists, forensics, and notification coordination. - Cyber Extortion Coverage
Coverage to address ransomware demands and costs tied to responding to extortion events. - Cyber Extortion Threats
Coverage for situations involving credible threats of an attack or data release, even before full damage occurs.
The Bottom Line: Cyber Risk Is Now a Core Fire Department Exposure
Across all industries (and increasingly within the public sector), cyber claims are becoming more frequent – sometimes rivaling traditional claim categories like auto in both urgency and disruption. The key takeaway: Cyber incidents aren’t theoretical anymore.
Fire districts already manage auto risk with a proven formula:
Training + Maintenance + Procedures + Insurance.
Approaching cyber risks in this same manner can be an effective way to build and evaluate your organization’s cyber risk management program.
Cyber insurance isn’t replacing good cybersecurity. It’s the backstop behind it—so that when an incident happens, the fire department can keep serving the public without a budget crisis or operational shutdown becoming the lasting story.
And now more than ever, every fire district needs two things working together: a strong risk management plan and the right cyber security insurance protection. The reality is simple: emails leave the station more often than ambulances do.
Many insurance companies offer cyber risk training at little or no cost. Reach out to an insurance professional today to learn about cyber insurance and more.
– Author, David M. Broz
President, Railside Citrus Insurance Agency
Original article: The Fire Call Magazine published by the Illinois Association of Fire Protection Districts
