The Columbus City Council is facing the aftermath of a massive cyberattack that hit the city in July 2024. The incident has prompted intense scrutiny from federal agencies like the FBI and Homeland Security, leaving the council in a position of limited knowledge akin to the general public.
During a recent city council meeting, Nicholas Bankston, a key member and chair of the finance and governance committee, stressed the importance of public vigilance in light of the cyberattack. He emphasized the council’s dedication to protecting the interests of every resident and employee in Columbus City.
Bankston acknowledged the ongoing federal investigation into the cyberattack and assured residents that despite the council’s hands being tied during the investigation, cybersecurity would remain a top priority in future meetings. The council has a longstanding practice of refraining from commenting on ongoing investigations to maintain their integrity. Bankston reiterated the council’s commitment to obtaining accurate and verifiable information from the administration and other involved parties.
The Department of Technology, under the leadership of Director Sam Orth, also addressed the public during a city council meeting. Orth highlighted the evolving nature of the situation, revealing that personal data had been compromised and posted on the dark web. Immediate actions were taken to support affected individuals upon confirming that their personal data had been stolen and leaked.
Despite Columbus City’s history of fending off cyber threats and thwarting over 200,000 attacks in the previous year alone, the scale of this cyberattack has been unprecedented. The city is working tirelessly to bolster its security systems and fortify its defenses against future breaches.
The council has advised residents to take proactive measures to protect their personal information, such as signing up for free credit monitoring services and avoiding suspicious links in emails. The Department of Technology also recommends enrolling children in credit monitoring services, as cyberattacks can impact anyone with a social security number. Residents are encouraged to report any unusual emails or messages to the designated email address.
The cyberattack has significantly impacted Columbus residents, as evidenced by interviews conducted with affected individuals. Mary B. Roletto, a longtime resident, shared her experience of discovering her information on the dark web and expressed heightened caution regarding her financial information. Joe Motil, a former mayoral candidate, criticized the city’s practice of scanning IDs and called for more transparency about the data leaked on the dark web.
Approximately 13,000 residents have signed up for the free credit monitoring service offered by the city, indicating a widespread concern among the population. Columbus City Council is committed to holding public hearings and providing updates on the cyberattack’s aftermath, with a hearing scheduled for early October to address residents’ concerns.
Director Sam Orth provided further details about the ongoing situation during a public briefing, highlighting the efforts to restore nearly a quarter of the city’s computer systems that are still down. Cybersecurity expert Shawn Waldman criticized the city’s response to the attack and called for accountability from Director Orth and his team. Council President Shannon Hardin expressed frustration over the attack, revealing that his own personal information was compromised.
As the investigation into the cyberattack continues and recovery efforts progress, the Columbus City Council remains steadfast in its commitment to transparency and accountability. Public hearings and forthcoming reports will shed more light on the cyberattack and the steps being taken to prevent future incidents.