Union County, Ohio — More than 45,000 residents and county employees were impacted after Union County suffered a significant ransomware attack that exposed highly sensitive personal information. Stolen data included names, Social Security numbers, driver’s license and passport details, medical information, fingerprints, and financial account data.
The attack occurred between May 6 and May 18, 2025, and was discovered only after abnormal system activity triggered an internal review. The county then brought in forensic investigators and issued a data breach notice to affected individuals, along with a hotline for questions.
This incident comes as Ohio begins enforcing stricter cybersecurity standards under House Bill 96, highlighting the urgent need for stronger cyber defense across local governments.
How This Attack Could Have Been Prevented
1. Zero-Trust Network Architecture
Attackers often move laterally once inside a system. Zero-trust security — verifying every login, every device, and every access attempt — could have prevented such movement and contained the damage.
2. Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR)
Modern EDR tools detect suspicious behavior such as file encryption, privilege escalation, or data exfiltration before it becomes catastrophic.
3. Continuous Vulnerability Scanning
Routine vulnerability management could have identified weak points or unpatched systems before attackers exploited them.
4. Immutable Backups
Air-gapped, tamper-proof backups allow agencies to restore systems without paying ransom.
5. Employee Cyber Awareness Training
Most breaches start with a phishing email. Regular training and simulations dramatically reduce the risk of compromised credentials.
How Catawba Security Could Have Helped Prevent This Attack
At Catawba Security, we specialize in delivering complete protection for local government systems — stopping threats before they become disasters.
✔ Zero-Trust Access Control
We implement micro-segmented access and continuous identity verification, ensuring attackers cannot move freely across a compromised network.
✔ Next-Gen EDR + Behavioral Threat Monitoring
Our endpoint platform detects ransomware-like activity instantly, isolating devices before the threat spreads.
✔ Automated Backups with Immutable Storage
Even if ransomware breaks through, our secure, unalterable backups allow full restoration — no ransom ever required.
✔ Vulnerability Assessments & Penetration Testing
We identify and fix structural weaknesses before cybercriminals find them.
✔ Staff Training & Phishing Simulations
Catawba Security provides tailored education programs to reduce human error — the #1 cause of breaches.
✔ 24/7 Security Operations & Incident Response
Our security team monitors, detects, and responds to threats in real time — keeping communities protected around the clock.
Why This Matters
When local governments store fingerprints, medical records, and financial data, cybersecurity becomes a matter of public trust. A breach this large damages credibility, disrupts services, and puts residents at long-term risk of identity theft.
Catawba Security helps government agencies strengthen defenses, comply with state requirements, and ensure citizen data remains protected.
