Mayor of Columbus, Ohio, Says Ransomware Attackers Stole Corrupted, Unusable Data

Mayor of Columbus, Ohio, Says Ransomware Attackers Stole Corrupted, Unusable Data

August 15, 2024 at 05:09AM

Hackers recently breached Columbus, Ohio, claiming to have stolen 6.5 terabytes of data, including sensitive information like log-in details and city camera access. However, Mayor Andrew Ginther confirmed most data was corrupted or encrypted and not put up for auction. The city is now focused on increasing digital security to prevent future breaches.

Key takeaways from the meeting notes:

– The city of Columbus experienced a data breach, but the stolen data was found to be corrupted or encrypted, rendering it unusable.
– The ransomware group Rhysida claimed to have 6.5 terabytes of stolen data, but the city’s forensics revealed that the group had less data than claimed.
– Despite initial concerns, personal information of city workers was not made available online, but it was temporarily accessed during the attack.
– There is no evidence of data belonging to the general public being exposed.
– The city is focusing on enhancing digital security and providing technology training to prevent future breaches.
– Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther expects the city to spend several million dollars in dealing with the aftermath of the attack.
– Other major cities in Ohio, including Cleveland and Akron, have also faced cyberattacks in recent years.

Additionally, the notes mentioned similar ransomware attacks in other cities, such as Seattle and Wichita, providing a broader context of cyber threats faced by various municipalities.

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