by Michael Peters
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Cyberattack in Lorain County: A Wake-Up Call for Government Cybersecurity and the Role of FedRAMP

Unfortunately, cybercrime is once again in the news. This time, a small county in Ohio has been the victim of an attack that has destabilized their ability to provide critical services to constituents. 

While the damage itself isn’t devastating, it highlights the fact that no government agency, no matter how big or small, is immune to attacks. This is why adoption and adherence to GovRAMP are so important. 

 

The Cyberattack on Lorain, Ohio

In late May 2025, a sudden cyber disruption hit Lorain County, Ohio, forcing the local government to halt several public-facing services. With tax offices, online records, and legal documentation systems offline, county officials scrambled to assess the scope of the threat. 

Though they acted quickly to contain potential damage, the incident served as a loud wake-up call to local governments who are increasingly attractive targets for cybercriminals, and often ill-equipped to defend themselves.

That’s where GovRAMP comes into play: a compliance framework designed to help state and local governments access secure cloud services that meet rigorous, standardized cybersecurity requirements.

 

A Local Crisis, but with National Implications

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Lorain County’s cyber incident wasn’t the result of a single point of failure, it was a systemic issue. Across the country, thousands of cities and counties rely on aging IT infrastructure, unpatched systems, and vendor software that may not meet modern security standards. With limited budgets and staff, many local governments cannot implement enterprise-grade protections on their own.

The good news is that the response from Ohio state officials highlighted a commitment to improvement. Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted had already launched the CyberOhio Local Government Grant Program, offering $7 million in federal funding to help local agencies bolster their cybersecurity capabilities. This grant, part of the broader State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP), supports tools like multi-factor authentication, endpoint protection, and .gov domain transitions.

Even with those initiatives, however, many municipalities require more than just funding—they need a clear and manageable pathway to selecting secure, compliant technology vendors. That’s where GovRAMP becomes vital.

 

What Is GovRAMP?

GovRAMP (formerly StateRAMP) is a nonprofit-led security framework modeled after the federal government’s FedRAMP program but designed specifically for state and local governments. It standardizes the security assessment and authorization process for cloud service providers (CSPs) that work with public sector agencies.

In essence, GovRAMP gives local agencies a trusted list of pre-vetted, continuously monitored vendors whose cloud services meet NIST-based cybersecurity requirements. This saves counties, cities, and school districts from having to perform exhaustive security reviews on every vendor they work with—reviews that are often beyond their capabilities.

Had Lorain County’s vendors been GovRAMP-authorized, the county could have benefited from the following:

  • Standardized Security Controls: Vendors must meet core NIST SP 800-53 controls, ensuring encryption, access control, and secure configuration management.
  • Third-Party Audits: Independent assessors verify compliance, removing the burden from local agencies to conduct these evaluations themselves.
  • Continuous Monitoring: CSPs must submit regular security updates to ensure their systems remain compliant and secure over time.
  • Transparency and Accountability: GovRAMP maintains a list of authorized products that agencies can trust and adopt, knowing they are secure and compliant.

Together, these help minimize the threat of attack and mitigate the issues that arise from an attack should one occur.

 

GovRAMP and  Other Security Frameworks

Unlike FedRAMP, GovRAMP is tailored for local governments that have unique challenges compared to larger institutions. It also integrates seamlessly with other initiatives that offer free training, tabletop exercises, and assessments to local officials.

GovRAMP recognizes that small counties don’t have the same resources as federal agencies. By offering tiered authorization paths, including fast-track options for vendors already approved under FedRAMP or GovRAMP-ready, it provides a realistic and scalable way for local agencies to modernize securely.

 

How to Get Started with GovRAMP

Whether you’re a public sector IT leader or a vendor looking to serve local governments, getting started with GovRAMP involves a few key steps, depending on if you are a government agency or a cloud service provider. 

Agencies can:

  • Browse the Authorized Product List: Access GovRAMP’s APL to identify CSPs that meet your security needs.
  • Leverage Grant Funding: Apply for local grants, such as Ohio’s CyberOhio fund, to procure GovRAMP-authorized services.
  • Join GovRAMP as a Participating Government: Membership is free and provides agencies with access to templates, policy support, and community forums.
  • Partner with Vendors: Ensure that new and existing cloud vendors align with GovRAMP’s security expectations.

 

Vendors can:

  • Conduct a Gap Analysis: Evaluate your current controls against NIST 800-53 and GovRAMP templates.
  • Engage a 3PAO: Certified assessors are required to validate your security posture.
  • Submit Documentation for Review: Complete the required System Security Plan (SSP), Plan of Action & Milestones (POA&M), and other materials.
  • Achieve “Ready” or “Authorized” Status: Join the APL and begin marketing to state and local governments with a recognized security credential.

 

Bridging the Gap: Automation and Support

For many smaller agencies, GovRAMP compliance still feels like a daunting task. That’s where platforms like Continuum GRC come into play. Continuum GRC automates assessment workflows, tracks control implementation, and produces audit-ready reports for GovRAMP, FedRAMP, and other compliance programs.

Using tools like these can dramatically reduce the cost and time burden of compliance. Instead of chasing documents and spreadsheets, IT teams can focus on improving their security posture and protecting residents.

 

Streamline GovRAMP Security with Continuum GRC

Cybersecurity for local governments is no longer a matter of “if,” but “when.” Lorain County took the right step by shutting down systems before the incident escalated. But prevention is far more powerful and less costly than reaction.

Continuum GRC is a cloud platform that stays ahead of the curve, including support for all certifications (along with our sister company and assessors, Lazarus Alliance). 

We are the only FedRAMP and StateRAMP-authorized compliance and risk management solution worldwide.

Continuum GRC is a proactive cybersecurity® and the only FedRAMP and StateRAMP-authorized cybersecurity audit platform worldwide. Call 1-888-896-6207 to discuss your organization’s cybersecurity needs and learn how we can help protect its systems and ensure compliance.

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