Strengthening Cybersecurity in North Canton, Ohio: A Comprehensive Guide

As digital threats continue to escalate, municipalities are taking significant steps to enhance their cybersecurity measures. North Canton, Ohio, is at the forefront of this initiative with a new policy aimed at bolstering its defenses against cyber threats.

Overview of the New Cybersecurity Policy

The North Canton City Council plans to adopt a comprehensive cybersecurity policy that aligns with statewide regulations outlined in Ohio’s Revised Code Section 9.64, enacted through House Bill 96. This legislation requires all political subdivisions—including cities, villages, and counties—to establish documented cybersecurity protocols by January 1, 2026. The objective is to safeguard against data breaches, ransomware attacks, and other cyber incidents that have increasingly targeted local governments nationwide.

Upcoming Legislative Discussions

The City Council is set to discuss this vital cybersecurity legislation on October 27, 2025. Preliminary discussions will occur during the Committee of the Whole Meeting held on October 20 at the North Canton Civic Center. This meeting is open to the public and will also be available for livestream viewing on the city’s YouTube page.

This proposed resolution mandates the Mayor, in collaboration with the city’s Managed IT Services provider, AtNet Plus, to establish stringent standards that protect against cybersecurity threats. Notably, it contains a provision that prohibits ransomware payments unless the City Council issues a specific governing ordinance.

Context and Compliance Requirements

The newly introduced cybersecurity framework compels local governments to create systems that can detect potential threats and outline precise procedures for incident response. Furthermore, ongoing cybersecurity training for municipal employees is vital to ensure preparedness and resilience against cyber threats.

In incidents involving ransomware, municipalities must obtain prior approval from their governing body before proceeding with any payments. It’s crucial that these actions are justified as being in the best interest of the municipality.

Cities are also obliged to report any cyber incidents to the Ohio Division of Homeland Security and the Auditor of State, while maintaining the confidentiality of all cybersecurity documentation. This ensures that sensitive information does not become publicly accessible, safeguarding the city’s digital infrastructure.

Proactive Measures and City Preparedness

North Canton’s leadership recognizes the growing threats that municipalities face, which underscores the urgency of adopting a formal cybersecurity framework. David Metheney, the Ward 2 representative and chair of the Personnel and Safety Committee, emphasized this necessity, pointing out that inadequate security poses risks to sensitive municipal information.

The proposed legislation serves to formalize existing cybersecurity measures already implemented by the city. According to Jason Segedy, North Canton’s Deputy Director of Administration, the city has exceeded the baseline standards required by the state. “This initiative serves to formalize our approach and document it,” Segedy stated, highlighting the city’s proactive stance in cybersecurity.

For the past two years, North Canton has collaborated with AtNet Plus to enhance its digital security infrastructure. Segedy expressed confidence in the robustness of their established procedures, affirming that the city is well-prepared.

Leadership’s Approach to Cybersecurity Challenges

Mayor Matt Stroia noted that, up to now, North Canton has not experienced a ransomware attack. However, he acknowledged that the decision to pay a ransom poses a complex dilemma. “It’s a challenging question to resolve,” he admitted, emphasizing the nuances involved in such scenarios.

City Council Clerk Liam Ott conveyed similar sentiments, asserting that most of the state’s cybersecurity requirements are already complied with. “I don’t believe there’s anything we have not already implemented,” he remarked, suggesting a solid foundation in cybersecurity preparations.

Enhancing Municipal Resilience

The state’s decision to keep cybersecurity records confidential has been met with approval from city officials. This measure safeguards against potential insights that hackers could gain about the city’s security protocols. Segedy emphasized the prudence of this approach, which benefits North Canton significantly.

Once the City Council approves the resolution, the Mayor will be empowered to implement standardized cybersecurity measures. These actions will not only ensure compliance with state regulations but also enhance North Canton’s resilience to evolving cyber threats.

The proactive steps being taken by North Canton reflect a broader commitment to protecting not only the city’s digital infrastructure but also the services it offers to its residents. As cyber threats become increasingly sophisticated, municipalities must remain vigilant, adaptive, and prepared to safeguard sensitive information effectively.