Hamilton refuses to pay huge ransom, saves tons of money

TLDR:

• The City of Hamilton refused to pay a ransom demanded by cyber criminals after an attack on its IT systems.
• The attack affected online municipal resources, including telephone lines, transit schedules, tax services, and Ontario Works and Special Supports.

In a recent cyberattack on the City of Hamilton’s IT systems, the city refused to pay a ransom demanded by cyber criminals. The attack, which was first reported on February 26, affected various online municipal resources, including telephone lines, transit schedules, tax services, and Ontario Works and Special Supports. City Manager Marnie Cluckie stated that authorities have implemented enhanced monitoring tools to strengthen security. Mayor Andrea Horwath confirmed that no personal data has been compromised and the city is working to restore services quickly and safely. The city has also collaborated with cyber experts and authorities to analyze the criminals’ activity and prevent further damage.

During a media briefing, Mayor Horwath mentioned that the ransom demanded was a significant amount of money, leading the city to refuse payment. Efforts have shifted towards containing and isolating the digital infrastructure to prevent further harm. Despite the attack, critical services like waste collection, transit, and emergency services continue to be delivered. The city has also provided most services through alternative means. For updates on service disruptions and FAQs, residents can visit hamilton.ca/cyberincident.