Adrian Johnson
TLDR:
- Columbus Mayor Ginther speaks on cyber attack that occurred in July, stating it could cost the city ‘millions’ of dollars.
- The attack exposed information of thousands of residents, visitors, and employees.
Months after a cyber attack crippled Columbus, Mayor Ginther provided an update on the situation, stating that the ransomware attack in July could end up costing the city millions of dollars. The attack compromised the personal information of thousands of individuals, including residents, visitors, and employees. While exact figures are not yet available, Mayor Ginther emphasized the city’s commitment to addressing the issue and implementing necessary measures such as credit monitoring and conducting a thorough investigation.
Following a lawsuit against a cyber security expert who revealed the extent of the breach, the City of Columbus has now reached an agreement with the expert to collaborate on addressing the hack. Mayor Ginther also expressed his intention to leverage his position as the President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors to advocate for federal assistance in combating cyber attacks on cities.
When asked about potential repercussions within the city administration due to the breach, Mayor Ginther affirmed his dedication to the investigation and finding solutions, but stated that he has no plans to step down over the incident. The city is focused on understanding the breach and implementing necessary remedial actions to prevent future cyber attacks.
