New Bedford (Massachusetts): public release of info on cyber attack could put city at further risk

guest · Jul 14, 2019

New Bedford: public release of info on cyber attack could put city at further risk
July 12, 2019
https://www.southcoasttoday.com/new...n-cyber-attack-could-put-city-at-further-risk

Cyber professionals have "strongly advised" the city against providing any details about the impacts of a computer virus that has shut down municipal computers for more than a week.

For most of a week the city has provided little information about what is going on with a virus that has at least shut down some of the computers at both City Hall and in the Fire Department. It is not known what other departments may be affected although officials have said the police are not involved and neither is the 911 emergency network.

The city has refused to say exactly how many computers are down, where they are located, the name of the cyber security consultant it is working with or how much money the shutdown may be costing New Bedford. The city has said it has insurance against meltdown that could take out the network.

"The risk of public information being used against the city remains real and disclosure would not be in the city's best interests," said the statement issued by Carvalho.
[...] they have refused to say whether or not the city is a victim of a ransomware attack in which someone or some entity is demanding money to allow the restoration of the computers.
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The statement said the city has taken "two key steps" to address an elevated risk environment.

First, cyber security professionals are advising and assisting the restoration effort; and second the city has "confirmed the integrity of existing anti-virus protections, and where appropriate, protections are being strengthened through the use of enhanced anti-virus technology and protocols.
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Councilor Hugh Dunn Demands Answers from Mayor on Cyber Attack

guest · Sep 4, 2019

Ransomware gang wanted $5.3 million from US city, but they only offered $400,000
New Bedford officials decide to restore from backups after negotiations fail
September 4, 2019
https://www.zdnet.com/article/ranso...on-from-us-city-but-they-only-offered-400000/

A ransomware gang tried to extract a ransom payment of an unheard-of sum of $5.3 million from the city of New Bedford, Massachusetts, but the city chose to restore from backups after hackers rejected a smaller counter-offer of only $400,000.
The incident happened in early July, but details were kept under wraps until today when New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell held a press conference detailing the city's efforts in handling the fallout from the ransomware infection.
ONLY 4% OF THE CITY'S IT NETWORK IMPACTED
According to Mayor Mitchell, the ransomware hit the city's IT network on the night between July 4 and July 5.
Mayor Mitchell said the ransomware spread through the city's network and proceeded to encrypt files on 158 workstations, which accounted for 4% of the city's total PC fleet.

The city's decision to restore from backups was an easy one, due to the low number of infected systems, and the fact that no critical systems had been impacted by the ransomware. This made managing the public's pressure easier than in other municipalities where ransomware infections effectively crippled almost all city services.
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guest · Sep 8, 2019

New Bedford ransomware attack could happen in Boston
September 7, 2019
https://www.bostonherald.com/2019/09/07/new-bedford-ransomware-attack-could-happen-in-boston/

The threat of a cyberattack like the one that recently hit the city of New Bedford is ever-present and the risk is heightened in large cities like Boston, cybersecurity experts say.

“The important thing here is that you have to protect the constituents of your city, you have to protect the public good,” said Curry, who added that in the worst of attacks, an entire city could be affected with important public services like EMS or police out of commission.
“Most municipalities have not planned what to do with a true cyberattack and don’t understand the true ripple effect of a cyberattack,” said Bates.

Greg McCarthy, chief information security officer for Boston’s cybersecurity team, said in a statement, “Creating a secure, convenient and reliable cyber system is a top priority in the City of Boston. The City of Boston’s Cybersecurity Team works every day to maintain and increase our city’s protections against cyber risk, and ensure all residents have access to reliable information and resources.”
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guest · Feb 17, 2020

1 in 6 Massachusetts Communities Hit by ‘Ransomware’ Attacks
February 14, 2020
https://www.nbcboston.com/investiga...ommunities-hit-by-ransomware-attacks/2076600/

When he came into work one January morning two years ago, Lt. James Graham discovered the Bedford Police Department was under attack.
It was a harrowing moment, but one that quickly passed. Bedford managed to recover the police department’s files in a matter of hours by restoring them from a backup.

Local officials across the state have faced similar predicaments as they wrestle with a new breed of cyber attacks designed to extort money from victims.
Experts say the public sector is especially vulnerable because governments tend to have outdated computer systems, and they maintain crucial, sensitive data.

In a broad survey last year, NBC10 requested records regarding ransomware attacks from each city and town in Massachusetts. More than 260 responded, and the results show at least one out of every six communities in Massachusetts has been infected by ransomware.
But at least 10 communities handed over taxpayer money to hackers, paying bitcoin — an encrypted, digital currency that experts say is all but impossible to trace.
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