Recent Ransomware Incidents in Western NY & What We Can Learn

The average ransom demand in education today is $847,000, says Comparitech. This shows how serious the threat is for schools and local agencies. The Buffalo School System’s shutdown in March 2021 highlights the importance of being ready and acting fast.

Section 1 introduces a practical look at recent ransomware incidents. We’ll link local events to national trends. This includes over 1,600 school cyber incidents reported by K12 Security Information Exchange. Our goal is to help protect schools, budgets, and community trust in Western NY.

The Buffalo case is our starting point. Ransomware forced the school to cancel reopening on March 15. It also raised concerns about data security. For more on the Buffalo School System ransomware attack, see this report. We’ll compare it to other schools to understand why education is a target.

We’ll then focus on NIST-aligned controls being used by New York districts. These include multi-factor authentication, secure browsers, and encrypted backups. We’ll also provide playbooks for Western NY cyber attacks. This guide will help you strengthen defenses and respond quickly when needed.

Overview of Recent Ransomware Incidents Affecting Western NY Schools and Organizations

Across the region, schools and local agencies face a growing number of cyber attacks. They are turning to NIST-aligned cyber security solutions and a coordinated ransomware response in Western, New York. This is to reduce risk and speed up recovery. The problem affects both big cities and small towns, impacting budgets, training, and technology choices.

Buffalo School System disruption and classroom impact

Buffalo’s planned in-person return on March 15, 2021 was halted due to a ransomware attack. This disrupted about 5,000 students, including many first-year high school students. Superintendent Kriner Cash said the district was checking if personal data was accessed while keeping details limited during the investigation.

For more on the event and early recovery steps, see this Buffalo Public Schools ransomware overview. It also talks about working with GreyCastle Security. These events continue to shape Western NY schools’ ransomware readiness and planning.

Trends across Maryland and New York districts

Similar crises hit Baltimore County Public Schools and Montgomery County Public Schools in 2020–2021. These incidents show a broader problem beyond New York. In-state, K12 Security Information Exchange tracked at least 1,600 incidents from 2016 to 2022.

New York’s SED Privacy Office logged dozens of phishing-related cases and cyberattacks in 2023. There were spikes around openings and breaks. These cross-state signals highlight the need for coordinated cyber security solutions and a practiced ransomware response in Western New York for every district calendar.

Why education remains a high-value target

Districts have sensitive student and staff records, including Social Security and medical details. They often have tight budgets and aging networks. Researchers like Sanjay Goel point to resource gaps that create openings for criminal gangs abroad.

Comparitech estimates average education ransom demands near $847,000. This mix of valuable data and uneven defenses keeps Western NY schools ransomware threats persistent. Layered education cyber attacks safeguards and response-focused cyber security solutions are essential.

Buffalo School System Ransomware Attack: What Happened and Why It Matters

Buffalo faced a major school cybersecurity issue that changed how Western New York plans. It made families, teachers, and administrators more alert. It also showed the need for a good cyber incident response plan and strong ransomware response in Western NY.

Timeline leading up to the March 2021 reopening cancellation

In mid-March 2021, Buffalo Public Schools were set to open more in-person. But on Monday, March 15, they canceled it due to ransomware. This disrupted access to important systems.

Officials quickly assessed the damage, told families, and kept core services running. The sudden stop showed how important a good cyber incident response plan is. It’s key when every minute counts.

Confirmed use of ransomware and data exposure concerns

The district confirmed the use of ransomware, which locks files and demands payment. Everyone worried about data exposure and the need for notices. A report showed a big school cybersecurity issue, with data affected and big costs for consultants and recovery. You can read more about it in this article on the district’s response.

This case is a lesson for ransomware response in Western NY. It shows the importance of backups, secure browsing, and strong defenses. A clear cyber incident response plan is essential.

Operational fallout for students, families, and staff

Thousands of students, including freshmen, had their first day canceled. Families had to find last-minute child care. Teachers had to change lesson plans and adjust grades.

Help desks got a lot of calls. Communications teams worked fast to send updates. These challenges showed how important a strong ransomware response is. It needs practiced roles, quick action, and clear messages.

Impact Area	Observed Disruption	Immediate Action	Planning Lesson
Instruction	Reopening canceled; classes paused	Shift to contingency schedules	Pre-approved alternate bell schedules in a cyber incident response plan
Family Support	Last-minute child care needs	Direct alerts via multiple channels	Template messages and tiered notifications
Technology	Systems locked and access disrupted	Isolation, forensic review, restore paths	Immutable backups and recovery runbooks
Compliance	Potential data exposure concerns	Legal and regulatory notifications	Clear thresholds and evidence handling
Public Trust	Heightened anxiety among stakeholders	Frequent, plain-language updates	Unified voice and trained spokespersons

Williamsville and Regional Readiness: Following the NIST Cybersecurity Framework

The Williamsville Central School District started early to follow the NIST framework schools guidance. This was after New York’s SED rules in 2020. They created clear plans for classrooms, offices, and vendor systems. Their goal is to have strong ransomware prevention and data protection services for daily use.

Multi-factor authentication and risk scanning

Williamsville Central School District uses multi-factor authentication for accounts with student and staff records. This stops attackers even if a password is leaked. They also do regular risk scans to find misconfigurations and outdated software, then fix them based on impact.

This shows how NIST framework schools lower risk. It also helps in ransomware prevention by focusing on identity, device hygiene, and quick fixes.

Backup validation and network hardening practices

Backups are tested, not just made. Teams check restores regularly to ensure recovery time is accurate. Immutable and offline copies protect against tampering, and logs confirm success.

On the network side, they close unnecessary ports, shut down non-essential services, and keep firewalls active. Antivirus is up-to-date, and segmentation limits movement. These steps make systems resilient.

Staff training to counter email-borne threats

Most incidents start with an email. Staff at Williamsville Central School District do short, frequent training with phishing samples. They have clear rules for reporting suspicious emails, and IT responds quickly to contain risk.

This approach supports NIST framework schools by combining smart tools with daily habits. These habits boost ransomware prevention strategies that Western New York districts can use without a big cost.

Control Area	Williamsville Practice	NIST Alignment	Benefit to Schools
Identity Security	MFA on sensitive systems and admin roles	PR.AC (Access Control)	Blocks account takeover and reduces breach risk
Risk Management	Automated scans and prioritized remediation	ID.RA (Risk Assessment)	Targets the most critical gaps first
Backup Readiness	Restore tests and immutable, offline copies	PR.IP (Protective Technology)	Reliable recovery after ransomware
Network Hardening	Port closure, service reduction, active firewalls	PR.AC, PR.PT	Limits lateral movement and scope of impact
Human Factors	Phishing awareness and rapid reporting	PR.AT (Awareness and Training)	Catches email-borne threats early
Operational Response	Playbooks for containment and restore	RS.MI (Mitigation)	Faster, safer return to instruction

For Western New York districts, these methods show how data protection services mapped to NIST framework schools can work across budgets and sizes. They sustain ransomware prevention strategies all year.

Lessons from Long Island’s Mattituck-Cutchogue Response

In 2022, a suspicious email hit a workstation at Mattituck-Cutchogue Union Free School District. A staff member quickly unplugged her device, giving IT time to act. This experience teaches other schools about strong endpoint defense and ransomware recovery.

Rapid isolation of endpoints and unplug-first culture

Having an unplug-first mindset can stop attacks from spreading. By unplugging devices, IT can cut off attackers’ control. Schools should have clear plans, quick contacts, and tools ready to act fast.

Drills help schools respond quickly and calmly. They should also have strong endpoint defense to catch unusual activity.

Rebuilding systems and leveraging healthy backups

The district used backups to get back to work without paying ransom. No student data was lost, thanks to good backups and restore plans. This shows the importance of reliable backups and quick restore plans.

Good ransomware recovery services include making images, removing malware, and rebuilding systems. First, reimage, then restore files. Check everything with checksums and audits before returning to normal.

24/7 monitoring and evolving antivirus defenses

Attackers keep changing, so defenses must too. The district got outside help for constant monitoring and stronger antivirus. This helps catch threats quickly and improve alerts.

Use a mix of detection and defense to stop attacks early. This includes behavioral EDR, strict allowlists, and quick quarantines. This approach helps schools detect, isolate, rebuild, and verify fast.

Capability	Why It Mattered	Actionable Takeaway
Unplug-first isolation	Stopped spread while IT assessed scope	Train staff to disconnect and call IT immediately
Healthy, tested backups	Enabled restore without paying ransom	Keep offline copies and run routine restore drills
24/7 monitoring	Faster detection of persistent phishing attempts	Use outsourced SOC to watch endpoints, email, and identity
Evolving antivirus and EDR	Reduced blind spots and blocked repeat tactics	Adopt behavioral rules, auto-quarantine, and policy reviews
Ransomware recovery services	Structured isolation, eradication, and secure rebuilds	Document playbooks and rehearse with leadership and vendors

Attack Patterns and Timing: What Western NY Can Learn from Statewide Data

Reports show threats against schools follow a pattern. Western New York can use this to plan better. They can schedule drills and tech updates to reduce risks during busy times.

Every district in Western NY faces the same third-party risks. The Western NY RIC helps over 100 districts. They work together to keep schools safe with the right cyber security solutions.

Phishing prevalence and seasonal spikes around school breaks

The 2023 report from the SED Chief Privacy Officer found many phishing incidents. These happen more before the school year starts and during breaks.

Districts in Erie and Niagara counties can prepare for these times. They can send out messages and set up email filters. This helps reduce the impact of phishing attacks during busy periods.

• Pre-break controls: tighten mail filters and disable legacy auth.
• Return-week surge teams: staff help desks for suspicious email triage.
• Metrics: track report-to-click ratio to tune defenses.

Vendor ecosystem risks highlighted by PowerSchool breach

Dependence on vendors increases risk. A breach at PowerSchool in December affected 38 districts. This shows the danger of relying on shared platforms.

To reduce risk, districts can add security to contracts and check vendor software. They should also require strong security measures in agreements.

Coordinating with RICs, SED, FBI, DHS, and NYSP

RICs like the Western NY RIC share threat information and respond together. Working with the state, FBI, DHS, and NYSP helps contain threats. It also helps communicate with families and staff.

Having clear plans and contact lists is key. This ensures quick action when needed. It also helps schools use statewide cyber security solutions that fit their needs.

Risk Area	Trigger Window	Primary Vector	Western NY RIC Role	Actionable Control
Phishing surges	Pre-year start, winter/spring breaks	Email spoofing and credential harvest	Push blocklists, simulate campaigns, share IOCs	Time-based inbox rules, MFA fatigue protections
Third-party exposure	Vendor updates, data sync cycles	API tokens and SSO misuse	Review vendor attestations and logs	Contractual MFA, least-privilege scopes, SBOM checks
Account takeover	After credential dumps surface	Password reuse and OAuth grants	Coordinate with SED, FBI, DHS, NYSP on alerts	Forced resets, token revocation, anomaly-based EDR
Data exfiltration	Late-night maintenance windows	Automated scripts and misconfigured shares	Centralized monitoring across districts	DLP rules, immutable backups, segmented shares
Vendor breach risk	Post‑patch weekends and rollouts	Supply chain and update channels	Advisory distribution and rapid mitigation	Staged rollouts, allowlist updates, rollback plans

By planning ahead, districts can lower risks. This way, they can focus more on teaching and learning.

Ransomware response in Western NY

Western New York districts and municipalities face a fast threat. A strong response starts with clear plans that meet NIST and New York State Education Department standards. These plans should reflect local realities, like school calendars and shared services.

Building a cyber incident response plan for schools and municipalities

A good plan has five phases: prepare, detect, contain, eradicate, and recover. Preparation includes tested backups and multi-factor authentication. Detection relies on phishing reports and alerts that staff can act on quickly.

Containment means unplugging infected endpoints first. Eradication involves removing malware and resetting credentials. Recovery focuses on clean restores and staged service turn-ups, with drills before big events.

Data breach response team roles and communication flow

A good team has tech, legal, and communications experts. It includes the district tech director, legal counsel, and a communications lead. They work closely with the local RIC for logging and secure file transfer.

Decide who to escalate to superintendents and county leaders. Know when to notify the New York State Education Department, the FBI, and the New York State Police. Keep ready-to-send updates and translation support for clear messages.

When to involve outside cybersecurity firm in Western NY

Call a cybersecurity firm for 24/7 monitoring, surge staffing, or forensic investigation. They can help triage EDR telemetry and speed up safe restoration. Make sure to have retainer terms in place before a crisis.

Don’t pay ransom, as the FBI advises. Success comes from pre-staged backups and practiced restoration steps. Adjust on-call coverage and readiness checks before big events to stay resilient.

Ransomware Prevention Strategies That Work

Western NY schools can reduce risk with effective steps that follow NIST controls. These strategies include quick patching, strong identity checks, segmented networks, and reliable backups. They help in building zero trust schools and ensure data protection without slowing down learning.

Patching, MFA, network segmentation, and least privilege

Make sure to update student information systems, learning apps, and domain controllers regularly. Use MFA for staff, vendors, and admins, on platforms like Google Workspace and Microsoft 365. Segment networks to keep classrooms, servers, and IoT devices separate, and use least privilege to limit user access.

Keep EDR active on endpoints, ensure firewalls are on, close unused ports, and disable non-essential services. These actions follow NIST controls and fit into zero trust schools that check users and devices on every request.

Backup strategy: offline, immutable, and routinely tested

Use a 3-2-1 model with at least one offline or immutable copy. Encrypt every backup and schedule restore drills. Check backup health before long weekends and breaks to reduce downtime and speed recovery.

Document where data lives, who owns it, and how to restore it quickly. Pairing clean backups with clear runbooks strengthens district-wide data protection services.

Email security, phishing simulations, and zero-trust access

Email is a major entry point. Use advanced filtering, DKIM, SPF, and DMARC, and do short phishing simulations. Give staff a one-click reporting button and set expectations for quick escalation.

Adopt zero-trust access with device posture checks and conditional policies. Continuous verification limits lateral movement if credentials are stolen. This completes layered ransomware prevention strategies that reflect modern NIST controls and support zero trust schools across Western NY.

Data Protection Services and Recovery Readiness

Western New York schools face big challenges when systems fail. Good data protection and quick recovery plans help avoid lost class time and financial losses. The main goal is to keep learning going and maintain trust with everyone involved.

Encrypted backups and rapid restore playbooks

Make sure backups are encrypted and kept safe. Test restoring them regularly to know how fast you can get back up and running. This is key for critical apps.

Create a quick restore plan that lists the most important systems first. Start with student info, email, and learning platforms to reduce downtime. Schools like Mattituck-Cutchogue show how important backups are by avoiding ransomware payments and keeping learning on track.

Endpoint detection and response aligned to NIST

Use endpoint detection and response that follows the NIST Cybersecurity Framework. This helps catch threats early and stop them from spreading.

Combine EDR with strong antivirus and constant monitoring to catch and stop threats fast. This approach helps protect data and speeds up recovery when time is of the essence.

Legal, insurance, and regulatory considerations in New York

New York has strict rules for data security and privacy in schools. The State Education Department requires policies and incident reports. Vendor breaches, like the one with PowerSchool, show the importance of managing third-party risks.

Check your cyber insurance to make sure it covers today’s ransom demands, which are often over $800,000. Work closely with RICs, the FBI, DHS, and the New York State Police to ensure a compliant response. This helps contain threats while your tools do their job.

Partnering for Cyber Security Solutions and IT Support in Western NY

Districts and municipalities in Western New York seek partners who are quick, clear, and always available. A team that combines cyber security with fast IT support can fill gaps left by school disruptions. This blend adds strength without slowing down daily operations.

Selecting a Partner with 24/7 Coverage

Choose a cybersecurity firm in Western NY that offers constant monitoring and quick incident response. They should also have disaster recovery plans. Make sure they align with NIST standards and have experience with K–12 and local government.

Check if they work well with RIC services. Also, verify their on-call staff and how they handle nights, weekends, and holidays.

• Essential checks: 24/7 SOC, MFA expertise, network segmentation, and immutable backups.
• Local presence in places like West Seneca, with rapid dispatch and clear SLAs.
• Experience handling ransomware and APT events alongside district technology teams.

Managed Detection and Response and Continuous Monitoring

Managed detection and response gives full visibility across endpoints, servers, and cloud apps. It helps speed up response times, working alongside existing controls. Make sure MDR alerts are linked to ticketing and paging for quick action.

• Correlate signals from EDR, identity tools, and email gateways.
• Run threat hunting during seasonal attack spikes noted by state guidance.
• Share weekly findings to refine cyber security solutions and user training.

Tabletop Exercises with RICs and Third-Party Vendors

Joint drills with RIC teams and vendors like PowerSchool test real-world scenarios. These exercises show gaps in contact trees, backup access, and legal notifications. They also help align roles between the cybersecurity firm and district staff.

1. Define who declares an incident and who leads communications.
2. Walk through restoring core services and student information systems.
3. Capture lessons learned to tune managed detection and response playbooks.

From Policy to Practice: Embedding a Cyber Incident Response Plan

Turning policy into daily habits starts with clarity. Districts in Western New York need a cyber incident response plan. This plan should guide action under stress and pass oversight tests.

The goal is simple: protect learning, keep families informed, and make recovery faster during ransomware response in Western NY.

Aligning board policies with SED and NIST requirements

Board-approved policies should align with the New York State Education Department’s 2020 directive. This directive requires following the NIST Cybersecurity Framework. Make sure these policies are clear and actionable.

For example, require MFA on sensitive systems, continuous risk scanning, disciplined patch cycles, and backup audits. Use Williamsville’s playbook as a model.

Embed these standards in purchasing and change management. Require vendors to attest to NIST-aligned safeguards and incident notification timelines. Make sure technology, legal, and the data breach response team operate from the same rulebook.

Clear escalation paths and decision-making authority

Escalation maps should define roles before an alert hits. Define who pulls the plug on a compromised device. Follow an unplug-first norm.

Define who speaks to parents and staff. Mirror the transparent updates used by Buffalo’s leadership. Preassign and make reachable those who inform the RIC, FBI, DHS, and New York State Police.

Document who can close schools, contain a vendor breach like a PowerSchool incident, and refuse ransom in line with FBI guidance. Build these choices into the cyber incident response plan. This way, the data breach response team can act quickly during ransomware response in Western NY.

Measuring readiness: audits, drills, and after-action reviews

Readiness must be proven, not assumed. Schedule internal and third-party audits and drills. These should stress-test detection, isolation, and restore steps.

Include phishing simulations tied to seasonal spikes around breaks. Reflect statewide trends from 2023.

• Mean time to detect, isolate, and restore
• Backup success rates and immutable copy verification
• Training completion and phish-reporting rates
• Action items closed from after-action reviews

Use these metrics to refine playbooks and staffing. Tabletop exercises with RICs and vendors keep the data breach response team sharp. After-action reviews convert lessons into updates that strengthen ransomware response in Western NY and elevate audits and drills into continuous improvement.

Conclusion

Western NY has learned important lessons. Buffalo’s quick classroom shutdowns highlighted the need for fast action. The Mattituck-Cutchogue recovery showed the value of having a plan.

Stronger defenses start with NIST controls, multi-factor authentication, and regular updates. Add aggressive antivirus and EDR, plus 24/7 monitoring, to fight threats.

Phishing is a big problem, and attacks rise during school changes. Vendor risks, like the PowerSchool breach, are also a concern. With ransom demands near $847,000 and over 1,600 incidents, schools must be ready.

Train staff to spot and report phishing. Teach them to unplug quickly and report early. This helps prevent and recover from attacks.

Develop a detailed incident response plan. Include clear roles and communication. Work with RICs, state departments, and law enforcement to stay safe.

Don’t pay ransoms, as the FBI advises. This approach strengthens Western NY’s cyber defenses. It keeps learning uninterrupted.

By combining cyber security with data protection, schools can face challenges head-on. Regularly check backups and practice response plans. Work with a local firm for ongoing support.

This approach turns policy into action. It reduces disruptions to students, staff, and the community.

FAQ

What happened during the Buffalo School System ransomware attack in March 2021?

Buffalo Public Schools canceled classes on March 15, 2021, due to ransomware. Superintendent Kriner Cash said they were checking if any personal data was leaked. They didn’t share details yet. The disruption hit about 5,000 students. Many first-year high school students were looking forward to their first day.

How do incidents in Baltimore County Public Schools and Montgomery County Public Schools relate to Western NY?

Attacks on Baltimore County and Montgomery County show similar threats in the Mid-Atlantic and New York. Phishing, ransomware, and disruptions are common. This highlights the need for a cyber response plan and prevention strategies.

Why are school districts such high-value targets for cybercriminals?

Schools have a lot of valuable data, like student and staff records. Smaller districts often lack resources, making them easier targets. Researchers say gangs find it profitable, with average ransom demands near $847,000.

What did Western NY learn from the Buffalo ransomware response?

The case showed the importance of having backups and secure browsers. It stressed the need for clear communication and following FBI advice not to pay ransoms. It also showed the value of a prepared data breach team.

How are Western NY districts aligning to the NIST Cybersecurity Framework?

Districts like Williamsville Central use multi-factor authentication and risk scanning. They also train staff and validate backups. These steps help reduce risks and improve recovery times.

What is “backup validation,” and why does it matter?

Backup validation checks if your backups are complete and can be restored. It’s key for recovering without paying ransom. New York cases show its importance.

How did Mattituck-Cutchogue’s “unplug-first” culture help during its 2022 attack?

An employee quickly disconnected the endpoint when trouble was spotted. This helped contain the attack. The district avoided paying ransom by restoring from backups and improving security.

When do attacks spike for New York schools?

Attacks often peak before school starts and during breaks. Phishing is the main way in. Schools in Western NY should plan for these times to improve response times.

How big is the vendor risk, and what happened with PowerSchool?

Vendor risks are significant. A PowerSchool breach affected at least 38 districts in Western New York. Strong vendor checks and incident response plans are essential.

What should a school’s cyber incident response plan include?

The plan should define roles and procedures. It should outline steps for isolation, eradication, and recovery. It should also include communication plans and align with NIST.

Who belongs on a data breach response team?

The team should include tech leaders, legal, communications, and senior administrators. It should also include RIC liaison and forensic support. This team handles notifications, restoration, and law enforcement coordination.

When should we bring in an outside cybersecurity firm in Western NY?

Bring in a firm for 24/7 monitoring, forensic help, or recovery support. Early involvement helps with containment and faster recovery.

What prevention strategies work best for K-12 environments?

Use patching, MFA, network segmentation, and least privilege. Combine EDR with phishing training and clear reporting. These steps reduce risks and improve recovery times.

How should districts design a backup strategy for ransomware?

Keep encrypted backups offline and immutable. Test them regularly. Prioritize recovery plans for key systems. Verified restores help avoid paying ransoms.

What does “zero trust” mean for schools?

Zero trust assumes no one is trusted by default. It continuously verifies identity and limits access. This reduces the impact of phishing attacks.

How does Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) support NIST alignment?

EDR monitors continuously, isolates quickly, and provides telemetry for investigation. It’s key for detecting, responding, and recovering in the NIST Framework. Pairing EDR with 24/7 monitoring strengthens ransomware recovery services.

What legal and regulatory issues should New York districts consider?

Districts must follow SED’s data privacy and security rules. They must comply with breach notification laws and work with RICs. Reviewing cyber insurance for incident costs is also important.

How can we choose a cybersecurity firm in Western NY?

Look for 24/7 coverage, education experience, MDR, and ransomware recovery services. Ensure they integrate with your RIC and support tabletop exercises and threat hunting.

What is Managed Detection and Response (MDR), and why add it?

MDR combines advanced detection with human analysts for constant monitoring. It speeds up containment, reduces dwell time, and complements internal IT support in Western NY with scalable, expert coverage.

How often should we run tabletop exercises with RICs and vendors?

Run exercises at least annually, before high-risk seasons. Include key vendors and test escalation, communications, and decision-making. Drills reveal gaps and improve coordination.

How do we align board policy with SED and NIST?

Translate policy into controls like MFA, patching, and risk scanning. Require regular updates to the board to support cybersecurity partnerships and controls.

What escalation paths and authorities should be predefined?

Define who disconnects devices, declares incidents, communicates externally, and closes schools or systems. Specify when to notify the RIC, SED, FBI, DHS, and NYSP. Pre-authorization reduces delays during high-pressure events.

How do we measure readiness for ransomware response?

Track detection, isolation, and restore times; phishing training; backup success; and audit outcomes. Use these metrics to refine cyber security solutions and data protection services over time.

Should we ever pay the ransom?

The FBI advises against paying. Payment doesn’t guarantee data return and may encourage more attacks. Investing in resilient backups, EDR, MDR, and trained staff is a better path to dependable ransomware recovery services.

Where can schools find IT support in Western NY with ransomware expertise?

Regional providers and MDR partners offer 24/7 monitoring, incident response, and disaster recovery. Coordinate selection with your RIC to ensure integration, coverage, and NIST alignment tailored to ransomware response in western ny.