The Toronto Public Library (TPL) says services affected by the recent cyberattack (late October) will begin to return starting in January of next year.
“Given the complexity and size of this work (of restoration) involving TPL’s data center and computers in 100 library branches and the interconnection of systems , we expect that restoration of library services will take several weeks,” TPL said in the statement.
The library said that access to services will be restored gradually starting in January, and that priority will be given to restoring tpl.ca and public computing services.
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Certainly, the time required to restore services will cause problems for users. However, according to the library, this time is not long if we take into account the complexity of the situation and other similar incidents in other organizations.
The Toronto Public Library said its staff, along with experts, are working steadily to restore systems and improve network security .
The library has received support from users
“We appreciate your patience and understanding while we do everything we can to restore our services as soon as possible.“.
The library first announced it was the victim of a “cybersecurity incident” on October 28 and notified relevant authorities and the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario.
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TPL said personal information, including names, dates of birth, social security numbers and home addresses of employees, was stolen during the attack. However, the library did not pay a ransom to recover the stolen materials.
The Toronto Public Library added that its cardholder and donor databases were not affected by the attack.
The services that are still unavailable are:
- tpl.ca and online personal accounts
- Public computers
- Printing
- tpl: map passes
- Some digital collections, including Cantook Station, LinkedIn Learning, and O'Reilly Learning
- Library card renewal, although library cards will not expire during this period
- Self-service hours at Swansea and Todmorden Room branches.
The library has a list of frequently asked questions to help users navigate its system while services are unavailable.
To prevent future cyberattacks, the Toronto Public Library needs to take basic security measures. One of the first steps is to train staff to recognize and respond to cyberattacks. Employees need to be educated on cybersecurity and stay up-to-date on the latest trends and threats in cyberspace.
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In addition, the library must invest in advanced technological security systems. These systems include advanced programs for detecting and preventing cyberattacks, analyzing data traffic and identifying anomalies and threats.
Working experts cybersecurity to assess system vulnerabilities is also important. Based on this assessment, the library will take steps to strengthen the security of its systems and data.
Finally, the Toronto Public Library should promote awareness among its users cybersecurity. It should educate users about basic internet security principles, such as using strong passwords and avoiding open Wi-Fi networks. In this way, the library enhances the security of its users and reduces the risk of becoming victims of cyberattacks.
Source: www.cbc.ca
