The City of Flint, Michigan, is currently in the midst of a major crisis after falling victim to a ransomware attack on August 14, 2024. The attack disrupted critical city services, leaving residents scrambling to pay bills and access essential information.
Internal Network and Internet Outage Caused by Criminal Cyber Attack
According to a statement released by the City of Flint, the attack compromised the city’s internal network and internet access. This outage effectively crippled online services, preventing residents from utilizing online payment systems for water, sewer, and tax charges. The City emphasized in its statement, “We are only accepting payments made by cash or check at this time.”
Technical Details of Flint Ransomware Attack: LockBit Ransomware Suspected
While the specific type of ransomware used in the attack hasn’t been officially confirmed, cybersecurity experts suspect it could be LockBit, a notorious ransomware family known for its aggressive tactics. LockBit typically encrypts a victim’s data and demands a hefty ransom payment in exchange for a decryption key.
Emergency Services Operational, But Residents Face Inconvenience
The City of Flint has assured the public that emergency services, including 911, dispatch, law enforcement, and fire operations, remain functional. However, the disruption of online services has caused significant inconvenience for residents. Residents are no longer able to access online city services, check water test results, or schedule appointments with various departments.
Public Health Concerns Remain as Water Crisis lingers
This cyberattack comes at a particularly sensitive time for Flint, as the city continues to grapple with the aftermath of a devastating water contamination crisis that began in 2014. The city switched its water source to save money, resulting in lead poisoning in many residents, particularly children. While the public health crisis is ongoing, the Office of Public Health remains operational, and residents can still pick up free water testing kits and water filters at City Hall.
City Working with FBI and Cybersecurity Experts for Recovery
The City of Flint is currently working diligently to restore affected systems. Their IT department is collaborating with the FBI and outside cybersecurity experts to investigate the attack, assess the damage, and recover lost data. Unfortunately, the City has not yet been able to provide a timeline for when full service restoration will be achieved.
Adding another layer of concern is the ongoing investigation into whether resident or employee personal data was stolen during the attack. The City has not yet released any information on this matter, leaving residents feeling anxious about the potential for data breaches.
Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley emphasized the city’s commitment to minimizing disruption for residents, stating, “We are working hard to resolve this issue and to minimize disruption for Flint residents.” He further commended the city staff and partners for their dedication in these challenging circumstances.
