Suffolk computer networks face fresh vulnerabilities, testing uncovers, officials affirm

Suffolk County in New York is taking steps to address new vulnerabilities discovered in its computer networks. The vulnerabilities were found during a cyber-penetration test conducted in December 2023 and were detected on user desktops as well as the networks of county departments, including the district attorney’s office. In response, the county is implementing a computer defense system called CrowdStrike and connecting to a state-operated security operations center for round-the-clock monitoring. The state has been providing the defense package for free since the summer of 2022. County officials are keeping the specific findings of the test confidential but have expressed concern and acknowledged that the previous administration did not adequately address the issue. Suffolk County has experienced significant cyber incidents in the past, including a ransomware attack in 2022 that caused extensive disruptions to online systems and potentially compromised the personal data of hundreds of thousands of residents and employees. County officials are working quickly to rectify the vulnerabilities identified in the recent test.