Hamilton won’t cough up ransom to hackers after cyberattack

TLDR:

• City of Hamilton refuses to pay ransom to hackers after cyberattack.
• Data may not have been compromised, but services are still affected.

In a cyberattack that occurred nearly three weeks ago, the City of Hamilton has taken a firm stance by refusing to pay hackers a ransom. The ransomware attack, which targeted city services such as telephone lines, transit schedules, tax services, and social support programs, demanded a significant sum of money according to Mayor Andrea Horwath. While personal data may not have been compromised, the city is still working to restore services and rebuild its IT system. City Manager Marnie Cluckie confirmed that the encrypted data has not been removed from the organization and a backup is in place. The city is prioritizing safety-related services such as fire and paramedic services, while working to contain the breach. Despite the challenges ahead, officials remain committed to restoring services and rebuilding the IT system, while acknowledging the ongoing threat of cybercriminals.