Adrian Johnson
TLDR:
Leicester City Council lost control of its streetlight system after a ransomware attack, leading to lights staying on all day and night. The attack led to a 1.3 TB data breach, causing concern over resident data security. The council is working with authorities to mitigate the effects of the attack.
Article Summary:
In April, Leicester City Council experienced a ransomware attack that resulted in the streetlights in certain areas of the city staying on all day and night. The attack, carried out by INC Ransom, caused a disruption in the council’s central management system, which controls the streetlights. Despite efforts to resolve the issue, the lights continued to shine continuously, causing inconvenience to residents.
The attack also led to a significant data breach, with 1.3 TB of sensitive council data being leaked by the cybercriminals. The council has taken steps to review the data and notify individuals who may be at high risk due to the breach. Working with authorities like Leicestershire Police and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), the council aims to manage the fallout from the attack and ensure data security for residents.
As a response to the ransom demands, Leicester City Council chose not to pay the attackers, in line with NCSC’s stance against rewarding cybercriminals. Despite the attack causing disruptions, the council remains committed to addressing the aftermath of the incident and safeguarding resident data.
