A Mandate Every Public Office Must Face
In Ohio, cybersecurity is no longer just a best practice, it is now the law. With House Bill 96 officially in effect, every public office in the state must adopt a comprehensive cybersecurity program before 2026. The deadlines are firm: January 1, 2026 for counties and cities, and July 1, 2026 for all other entities.
According to the FBI’s 2024 Internet Crime Report, state and local governments accounted for over 20% of reported ransomware incidents nationwide, highlighting how public institutions have become prime targets for cyberattacks. These numbers show the urgent need for action, cybersecurity compliance is no longer optional.
House Bill 96 sets a clear expectation: public offices must build cybersecurity programs that identify risks, protect sensitive data, and prepare employees to detect and respond to cyber incidents. But while the legislation provides structure, many organizations are still asking one big question: where do we start?
The Challenge: Rising Risks and Limited Readiness
Ohio’s new mandate arrives in a digital landscape full of risk. Public offices depend on interconnected systems that manage everything from public records to payroll, and those systems have become frequent targets for cybercriminals.
According to the Sophos State of Ransomware in State and Local Government 2024 Report, 34% of state and local government organizations experienced a ransomware incident in the past year, one of the highest rates across all sectors. Yet many still lack the resources, staff, or technical frameworks to meet state-level cybersecurity requirements.
The challenges most organizations face include:
- Outdated infrastructure that cannot meet modern security standards.
- Limited IT staff and budget constraints that delay compliance efforts.
- Unclear guidance on how to translate legislative requirements into actionable steps.
- High exposure to phishing, ransomware, and data breaches that threaten operations and public trust.
Without a structured plan, these issues can lead to missed deadlines, costly disruptions, and potential legal consequences. The risk is not only technical, it is operational and reputational. Public trust depends on secure, uninterrupted service.
Why Clarity and Guidance Matter
The goal of House Bill 96 is clear: strengthen cybersecurity across Ohio’s public sector and reduce the growing threat of cyber incidents. Yet the path to compliance is anything but simple. Each public office must design and implement its own cybersecurity program, tailored to its structure, resources, and level of risk.
This process requires:
- Identifying and addressing critical functions and vulnerabilities.
- Establishing detection and response mechanisms for cyber threats.
- Defining communication and recovery procedures after incidents.
- Providing continuous cybersecurity training for all employees.
For many organizations, this represents a major cultural and operational shift. According to KPMG, 65% of government and public-sector organizations admit they are less confident about implementing new cybersecurity technologies due to limited resources and skills gaps. This gap between awareness and action makes compliance more challenging and increases vulnerability.
That is why clarity matters. Without expert guidance, even well-intentioned teams can spend valuable time interpreting legislative text instead of building effective safeguards. With deadlines approaching quickly, every week of uncertainty adds to the risk.
QualityIP, Your Experienced Guide
Ohio House Bill 96 sets the rules, and QualityIP helps you master them. With deep expertise in managed IT, cybersecurity, and compliance frameworks, QualityIP translates the law’s technical requirements into actionable strategies designed for real-world operations.
Our approach is built on clarity, collaboration, and care. We know that every organization is different, so our process adapts to yours. QualityIP helps you:
- Assess your current readiness and identify compliance gaps.
- Design a structured cybersecurity program aligned with House Bill 96 and industry best practices such as NIST and CIS.
- Implement secure systems and workflows that protect sensitive data and ensure operational continuity.
- Train your staff to recognize and respond to threats effectively.
- Document your compliance efforts to meet state reporting requirements confidently.
Unlike one-size-fits-all solutions, QualityIP provides personal guidance at every stage. Our team combines technical expertise with a genuine commitment to service, helping your organization move from uncertainty to assurance.
Think of us as your partner on the path to compliance, the ally that brings light where the process feels unclear. With our support, compliance becomes more than a requirement; it becomes an opportunity to strengthen your infrastructure and build long-term resilience.
Let Clarity Lead the Way
House Bill 96 represents more than a legal requirement, it is a turning point for cybersecurity in Ohio’s public sector. For counties, cities, and local agencies, compliance is not just about meeting standards; it is about protecting the systems that keep communities running.
The path ahead may seem complex, but with the right guide, it becomes manageable and clear. QualityIP is that guide. Our team brings clarity where the law creates confusion, structure where uncertainty takes hold, and reassurance where deadlines create pressure.
Do not wait until compliance becomes a crisis. Take the first step today, and let QualityIP help you build the roadmap that ensures your organization is ready, secure, and compliant well before 2026.