MAYNARDVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – In rural East Tennessee, cybersecurity isn’t always at the top of the list of things people are concerned about. Within the city of Maynardville, leaders disagree.
Maynardville was just awarded nearly $50,000 in federal grant funding to upgrade their cybersecurity defense through the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program.
“If you’re not putting an emphasis on network security, you’re already way behind,” said Mayor Ty Blakely.
The grant will go towards adding more security cameras to city-owned parks and facilities, along with upgrading their network’s defense at city hall.
In a city of less than 3,000 people, leaders there believe it’s even more of a reason to prioritize security.
“Smaller cities, sometimes people think they’re an easier target. They’re easier to get and go after,” said network administrator Blake Luck.
Luck said that bigger cities have the advantage of having more resources and staff to defend and respond to a cyber attack, while in Maynardville, they felt more exposed to threats due to their size.
These upgrades to the system will be coming within the next few months and hopes to keep things like personal data, critical city infrastructure, and police records all private and secure.
Mayor Blakely said that this grant comes as a precautionary measure, and while there have been some cybersecurity threats in Maynardville in the past, there have not been any breaches as of late to prompt this change.
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