Adrian Johnson
TLDR:
- Cleveland City Hall was closed for two days due to a cyber threat.
- Officials are still investigating the cyber incident.
In the wake of a cyber “threat,” Cleveland City Hall was closed for two days while officials investigated the incident. While the city is set to reopen on Wednesday, the type and scope of the threat are still under investigation. Mayor Justin Bibb refrained from providing specific details about the incident, including whether it was a ransomware attack. Ransomware attacks on local and state governments in the U.S. have been on the rise, with a 51% increase in the first eight months of last year compared to 2022. Municipalities like Cleveland are particularly vulnerable to such attacks due to being understaffed, underfunded, and lacking proper cybersecurity training.
The FBI advises against paying ransoms in ransomware attacks, as it may only encourage more attacks. However, organizations that pay ransoms may regain access to their systems quicker. Without a specific cyber attack insurance policy, Cleveland may face significant recovery costs if the incident escalates. Other cities like Baltimore, Dallas, and New Orleans have experienced similar ransomware attacks, resulting in extended system downtime, financial costs, and potential data breaches. In some cases, organizations have chosen to pay ransoms to expedite the recovery process. It is crucial for organizations, especially at the local and state government level, to invest in cybersecurity measures to prevent and mitigate the impact of cyber threats.
