THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY SAYS IT'S A CONSTANT BATTLE KEEPING STATE NETWORKS SAFE. 

DURING A HOUSE CYBERSECURITY HEARING, DO-IT ACTING SECRETARY JENNIFER RICKER TOLD LAWMAKERS THAT STATE SYSTEMS ARE ATTACKED MILLIONS OF TIMES A DAY, REQUIRING A SWIFT RESPONSE.

CYBER ATTACKS ARE BECOMING MORE SOPHISTICATED AND ORGANIZED, PRESENTING AN ONGOING CHALLENGE SAYS FORD.

THE AGENCY HAS BEEN ADOPTING A "ZERO TRUST" APPROACH, TRUSTING NOTHING AND VERIFYING EVERYTHING.