An attempted ransomware attack is causing website issues and disrupting business for most state agencies. The attack forced several state agency websites to shut down on Monday and many state workers were left without email. Division of Administration spokesperson Jacques Berry says upon detection, the Office of Technology Services initiated security protocols.
“To prevent it from spreading, they shut down all of the state’s network traffic,” said Berry.
A hacker can use ransomware to block a user’s access to a computer system until the target pays whatever price tag is set on a ransom. Governor Edwards tweeted no ransom has been paid. Edwards has activated the state’s cybersecurity team in response to the attack.
Berry says a similar attack took place over the summer with some of the state’s school systems.
“Our staff went in and close those up as well and they are very experienced with this sort of thing,” said Berry.
The issue shut down operations at the state’s 79 OMV locations. Berry says no personal data has been leaked as a result of the attack.
“We did not have any kind of data security issues or anything like that. They caught it in plenty of time and they are working to bring the servers back up, one by one,” said Berry.
Edwards tweeted full restoration of services may take several days.
