A ransomware local authority Western Isles, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar. The council said access to its systems was affected.
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The Scottish Government and computer company Dell are helping Comhairle nan Eilean Siar deal with the situation. In a ransomware cyberattack, hackers use malicious software to encrypt and steal data from an organisation's computers.
Comhairle's chief executive Malcolm Burr said the authority was working with Police Scotland, the National Cyber Security Centre and the Scottish Government in a criminal investigation.
It said: “The council has been the victim of a criminal attack on our IT systems, which has caused significant disruption to services our.”
“Our priority is to restore our services as soon as possible, to ensure that those who depend on our services have access to them.“
Mr Burr said not all council services were affected and external communications were returning to normal. He added that cyberattacks were a constant threat to organisations and individuals.
As he stated: “You would be amazed at the number of attempts our firewall repels every day from all over the world.”
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The attack follows the cyberattack on the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa), which led to the leak of thousands of digital files in 2020. In February this year, the Scottish Audit Office reported that public money had been cancelled as a result, but the full financial impact remained unknown. Auditor General Stephen Boyle said the attack continued to have a “significant impact” on Sepa’s performance.
It is not easy to pinpoint who may be responsible for a cyberattack. Cyberattacks can come from a variety of actors, including cybercriminals, states, or hacker groups. Cybercriminals may seek financial gain, while states may have political, military, or informational reasons for attacking an organization. Hacker groups may seek to demonstrate their skills or to cause disruption and concern.
To understand the motivations of the perpetrators, it is important to consider the context of the attack. An attack on Comhairle nan Eilean Siar could have political dimensions, as this organisation is responsible for local governance and decision-making on matters affecting the region. There could also be financial motives, as cyberattacks can cause significant damage to the organisation’s infrastructure and operations
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In addition, the perpetrators may intend to gain access to sensitive information stored on the systems . This information may include personal data of residents, confidential information or information relating to the council’s activities. The perpetrators may use this information to cause damage or exploit it for their own personal interests.
Source: BBC
