- The city of Columbus, Ohio was recently hit by a ransomware attack.
- Hackers claimed to have stolen files including sensitive login information and emergency services documents, but the city’s mayor clarified that the stolen data was unusable.
OUR TAKE
These incidents serve as a reminder to all organisations, large and small, of the need to pay attention to cybersecurity in order to protect sensitive data from attacks. Protecting the security of network information is of paramount importance, as it has a bearing on a number of aspects, including personal privacy, corporate secrets, national security and social stability.
— Iydia Ding, BTW reporter
What happened
The city of Columbus, Ohio was recently hit by a ransomware attack, and Mayor Andrew Ginther confirmed the data breach. According to the mayor, while the hackers claimed to have stolen 6.5 terabytes of data, including sensitive login information and emergency services documents, the data they obtained was in fact either corrupted or encrypted and unusable.
That said, unauthorised access did occur during the attack, particularly to the city’s payroll system, but there is currently no indication that files were downloaded or posted to the dark web. There is also no evidence that data from the public was compromised.
Additionally, despite concerns from some employees that personal information was compromised, Ginther clarified that there is no evidence that the information was uploaded to the dark web or publicly released. The City of Columbus did not receive a ransom demand, and Mayor Kinser said the city will increase digital security and technology training to prevent similar breaches in the future. He expects the attack to result in millions of dollars in damages.
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Why it’s important
Protecting the security of network information is crucial, as it relates to a number of aspects, including personal privacy, corporate secrets, national security and social stability. In the digital age, users’ trust in online services is based on confidence in data security.
As technology evolves and new security threats emerge, securing network information requires continuous updating and adaptation to new technologies and strategies. Other cities in Ohio have experienced cyberattacks, highlighting the importance of strengthening cybersecurity measures. Some areas have shut down most of their systems due to ransomware attacks and have had to shut down some city functions, affecting the lives of citizens.
Therefore, no matter how big or small the outcome of what happened, businesses and individuals need to take cybersecurity seriously in order to protect sensitive data from attacks.
