By Nicole Tisdale, Senior Advisor, Cybersecurity Programs, Aspen Digital
In recent years, cyberattacks have shut down rural hospitals, forced kids out of classrooms, and stolen government food assistance from families. These aren’t isolated incidents—they’re systemic failures that exploit the resource gaps created by decades of policy choices that left rural infrastructure vulnerable. This pattern has a name: rural communities often fall below what’s called the Cyber Poverty Line, not able to afford basic cybersecurity protections.
The key distinction is this: rural communities are not behind—they are underserved by infrastructure and public policy. Urban-rural disparities in cybersecurity, like in other policy areas, reflect historical patterns of underinvestment in rural infrastructure and institutions, not inherent limitations of rural communities themselves. Existing cybersecurity policies often fail rural America, leaving communities unable to afford the same level of protection that others take for granted. As the federal government shifts more cybersecurity responsibilities to state and local levels—through efforts like the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP) and Executive Orders—it’s critical these transitions don’t leave rural communities further behind.
National security starts at the local level, and right now, our rural frontlines are exposed.
This disparity is also a national security issue. National security starts at the local level, and right now, our rural frontlines are exposed. Food production, energy distribution, transportation networks, and emergency response systems all have rural components that, when compromised, affect everyone. When a rural hospital closes, nearby urban hospitals get overwhelmed. When a rural water system fails, it disrupts agriculture and public health. When hackers steal EBT benefits in Tennessee or Oklahoma, the economic strain travels far beyond those state lines.
Rural communities are home to 46 million people—14% of the U.S. population. That’s nearly one in seven Americans. Contrary to “decline” narratives, rural counties grew by 134,000 residents between 2023 and 2024, mainly due to relocations and in-migration. When these rural attacks succeed, the effects ripple through interconnected networks that serve urban areas too. We are all connected.
Lack of cybersecurity protections is a resource gap, not a readiness gap.
Cyber and security exclusions from rural communities is not a result of apathy or ignorance. Lack of cybersecurity protections is a resource gap, not a readiness gap. When we understand this difference, we can design solutions that build on rural communities’ existing strengths rather than assuming they lack capacity.
This piece is part of an Aspen Digital series of perspectives on the evolving space of intergovernmental cyber policy, including challenges and best practices for building state, local, tribal and territorial capacity and how governments can collaborate effectively.
The views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Aspen Institute, its programs, staff, volunteers, participants, or its trustees.