Public Service Meets Digital Risk—Here’s What’s on Tap
You serve your community every day with transparency, accountability, and care. But today, your mission also depends on your technology. From 911 dispatch systems and public works infrastructure to HR, finance, and citizen services, local government is more connected and vulnerable than ever.
Cybercriminals know this. They target municipalities and public offices for the same reason citizens rely on them: you hold sensitive data, critical infrastructure, and operate on tight timelines with limited resources.
That’s why Yeo & Yeo Technology created Brews & Cyberthreats, a blog series that pairs the five biggest cyber risks facing your organization with bold, memorable beers from Midland Brewing Company in Midland, Michigan. Because when your responsibility is this big, your cybersecurity should be unforgettable.
Let’s examine what’s at stake and what it will take to defend your systems, staff, and community.
1. Oktoberfest + Ransomware (Bold and Unforgiving)
Ransomware attacks have crippled cities, frozen emergency dispatch systems, and locked up tax and permitting portals. With high visibility and tight budgets, municipalities are under enormous pressure to respond fast.
Why It Hurts:
- Police, fire, or EMS services disrupted
- Locked access to property records, finance systems, or payroll
- Public trust damaged—and recovery costs that blow past your annual budget
Yeo & Yeo Tip:
- Back up critical systems regularly (onsite and offsite)
- Segment internal systems to limit attack spread
- Use EDR tools with ransomware rollback capabilities
Why Three Mile Marker Oktoberfest? This classic seasonal lager is bold, rich, and impossible to ignore—just like ransomware. It doesn’t sneak in quietly. When it hits, it takes over the entire experience.
2. Boom Run Oatmeal Stout + Malware (Layered and Persistent)
Municipal networks often have legacy systems, open Wi-Fi, and shared devices—prime targets for malware. These infections can siphon data silently or become launchpads for larger attacks.
Why It Hurts:
- Key systems compromised: voting records, public utilities, finance
- Infections spread across departments
- Loss of control or visibility across core services
Yeo & Yeo Tip:
- Keep all systems patched and updated, including internal platforms
- Limit public-facing devices and internet exposure
- Deploy malware detection that watches traffic in and out
Why Boom Run Oatmeal Stout? Rich and complex, this stout lingers like malware that burrows in and hides. The longer it sits, the more damage it can do.
3. Dam Good Beer + Phishing (Deceptively Simple)
Phishing scams are the #1 cyberthreat to local government. They mimic emails from state agencies, constituents, vendors, or even council members, aiming to trick your staff into clicking a link, sharing credentials, or wiring funds.
Why It Hurts:
- Leaked payroll or citizen records
- Malware infiltrating internal networks
- Disruption to public services or email systems
Yeo & Yeo Tip:
- Run phishing simulations and awareness campaigns
- Enable multifactor authentication across all departments
- Use advanced spam filtering with attachment and domain inspection
Why Dam Good Beer? This blonde ale is approachable and easy to drink, just like phishing emails that look harmless but pack a hidden punch.
4. Copper Harbor Ale + Insider Threats (Familiar but Risky)
In local government, trust runs deep, but so do insider risks. Sometimes, someone misplaces a file or shares data on an unsecured device. Other times, it’s intentional.
Why It Hurts:
- Leaked citizen data or confidential records
- Unauthorized access to secure systems after termination
- Breaches of compliance or FOIA-sensitive data
Yeo & Yeo Tip:
- Enforce strict access controls by department
- Remove credentials immediately upon role change or departure
- Monitor for unusual login activity or file downloads
Why Copper Harbor Ale? Classic and familiar, this amber ale mirrors insider threats—easy to overlook until something slips, and trust turns into trouble.
5. OPE! Michigan Hopped IPA + Data Breaches (Bitter and Costly)
Whether it’s a misconfigured file share or a stolen device, government data breaches shake confidence and cost more than dollars. They threaten transparency, service continuity, and citizen trust.
Why It Hurts:
- Public records or Personally Identifiable Information exposed
- Lawsuits, fines, or investigations from compliance failures
- Long-term reputational damage
Yeo & Yeo Tip:
- Encrypt files and devices that contain sensitive data
- Conduct regular vulnerability and access audits
- Train staff on secure file sharing and cloud usage
Why OPE! Michigan Hopped IPA? This bold IPA delivers a punch like realizing your data’s been breached. “Ope!” is right. The bitterness sticks around long after the first hit.
Final Sip: Public Trust Deserves Private Protection
When you serve the public, your systems must be strong, your responses fast, and your data secure. A cyberattack doesn’t just disrupt your office. It can erode public trust, paralyze operations, and leave your community vulnerable.
At Yeo & Yeo Technology, we help Michigan municipalities build layered cybersecurity programs that protect people, processes, and progress. Whether you’re managing utility billing, public records, or emergency communications, we’re here to help you secure it all, without overcomplicating it.