The City of Columbus is facing a major cybersecurity incident that has disrupted several IT services for residents. Here’s what you need to know about the situation and what the city is doing to resolve it.
what happened?
On July 18, 2024, the City’s Technology Department detected a system anomaly during routine monitoring. The incident was not related to the global IT outage that occurred the same day. The City immediately took steps to mitigate potential risks, including cutting off internet connections to protect its systems.
This precautionary measure has caused disruptions to some services residents rely on, although essential services like the City’s 9-1-1 and 3-1-1 systems and employee payroll continue to function normally.
What is causing the issue?
An investigation into the exact cause of the incident is currently ongoing. Preliminary findings suggest the issue may have arisen from a City of Columbus employee accidentally clicking on a malicious link in an email.
Has your personal information been accessed?
The city is still investigating whether any personally identifiable information was accessed during the incident. If it is determined that personal information was leaked, those affected will be notified directly.
— Mayor Andrew Ginther (@MayorGinther) July 23, 2024
How is the city responding?
The City of Columbus is in the process of eradicating the threat and restoring its systems. The City has engaged law enforcement and cybersecurity experts to respond to the incident, ensure compliance with applicable laws, and minimize further risk.
Mayor Andrew Ginther emphasized the city’s efforts to resolve the issue, saying, “The City of Columbus is committed to restoring our systems following this cybersecurity incident. We are taking all necessary steps to protect our community and restore service as quickly as possible.”
How can residents get more information?
Residents potentially affected by this incident will be notified directly, and for general inquiries, the City’s 3-1-1 system remains operational and available for information.
Advance
Residents are encouraged to stay informed and vigilant while the City of Columbus works to restore its systems. The City’s efforts to address the cybersecurity incident highlight the importance of robust IT security measures and the need for ongoing awareness of cyber threats.
Visit the City of Columbus website for the latest information on the incident and when services will be restored.
Featured image by Hack Capital on Unsplash
