BILLINGS — Technologically savvy criminals can be a threat to computer systems at schools and municipalities -- and some will ask hold that information ransom.
Montana Public Service Commissioner Tony O'Donnell brought together those who may have to protect that information in Billings.
The Department of Homeland Security, Congressman Greg Gianforte, Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen and Billings school officials talked about the problem on Wednesday.
Cyber threats can happen to businesses, schools and government agencies. Part of the forum was awareness -- which can lead to ways to protect information.
"People are involved. they are working hard to prepare to protect the information, working to protect vital systems. to protect critical information, critical infrastructures, whether they be informational, or industrial," O'Donnell said.
Security experts say the criminals do not need information itself and only use it to hold as ransom.
