Rock County is investigating a ransomware attack that hit its administrative departments in early October.
See also: A Wisconsin county faces a serious ransomware attack
According to Rock County Administrator Josh Smith, a “criminal” hacker breached the County’s network, encrypted some files and announced to the County that it would have to pay $1.9 million to regain access to them.
Smith said the county's technology team was able to restore access to the data without paying the ransom demand.
He said authorities are currently investigating how the hacker breached the system, but he won't share many details as he wants to ensure there isn't anything else vulnerable.
Smith said the encryption was the main problem, meaning the hacker blocked the county from accessing those files, not that the hacker stole personal information.
See also: Ransomware attack affects Spartanburg County services
"In this case, the problem is not necessarily that all the information obtained was confidential or private, but that it encrypted files that limited the ability of the system to function," Smith said. "In the larger scheme of things, unfortunately, we are just another example of what we are seeing more and more of lately."
Smith said that if his team discovers that someone's personal information has been compromised, it will send letters to those individuals to notify them.
What impact can a ransomware attack have on a County?
A serious impact of a ransomware attack on a county is the disruption of critical county services. Hackers can encrypt data and block access to files and systems, making it impossible for services to function normally. This can have serious consequences for the county, as citizens and businesses will not be able to access critical services such as paying taxes, issuing permits, and providing public services.
See also: Jefferson County schools still offline after ransomware attack
Another potential outcome of a ransomware attack is data loss. Hackers can destroy or steal county data, causing serious damage and loss of information. This can have implications for the security of citizens and businesses, as personal and sensitive data can end up in the wrong hands.
Another potential outcome of a ransomware attack is financial damage. Recovering from such an attack can be costly, as the county will have to recover data, restore systems, and beef up security to prevent future attacks. This can have a negative impact on the county budget and require cuts to other areas of public services.
Finally, a ransomware attack can damage a county’s reputation. When a county is unable to provide services due to a ransomware attack, it can create anxiety and frustration among citizens. In addition, news of a ransomware attack can affect the trust of citizens and businesses in the county, with negative consequences for the local economy and development.
Source: nbc15
