Oakland, California is still dealing with the fallout from a ransomware attack on its computer networks that occurred in early February. City officials have confirmed that some information stolen from the network has been released and they are working to determine what kind of data was released and notify those affected.
In the meantime, city workers are being asked to monitor their bank statements and credit cards. Some city services have been restored and are back online, though many city phone numbers and the website where business operators can pay their taxes are still down.
The deadline for the Oakland business tax due date, which was March 1, has been extended to April 17 due to the website not functioning. Councilman Noel Gallo said the city is working with the FBI and cybersecurity experts to resolve the issue. Gallo would not reveal the amount of money being demanded by the cybercriminals, only that it is in the millions.
How Local Governments can Prevent Ransomware Attacks
Chris Close, a cyber security expert from Cyber Sleuth Security, a leader in security operations, recently sat down to discuss how local governments can prevent ransomware attacks.
“Local governments need to stay one step ahead of malicious actors,” said Chris. “They need to understand the threat landscape and implement best practices that protect their data.”
When asked what steps local governments should take to prevent ransomware attacks, Chris pointed to three key areas: “First, they should ensure their systems are always up to date. Second, they should implement strong access controls, especially for privileged accounts. Finally, they should backup their data regularly to ensure they can recover quickly in the event of an attack.”
Chris also noted the importance of educating staff on cybersecurity best practices. “It’s critical that staff understand the risks and how to spot suspicious activity. This is an important layer of defense for local governments.”
In conclusion, Chris said, “Local governments can’t afford to be complacent when it comes to cybersecurity. Taking proactive steps to protect their data will go a long way towards preventing ransomware attacks.”