The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes faced a cybersecurity incident that disrupted their operations on the Fort Hall Reservation in Idaho, leading to a temporary shutdown of the tribal government and significant interruptions in communication and network services. The cyberattack occurred over the weekend preceding August 19, causing severe disruptions across various tribal programs, including phone lines, email services, and computer systems. Despite the challenges, critical services remained operational during the incident.
Tino Batt, the Interim Executive Director of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, released a statement regarding the cybersecurity incident, emphasizing the tribe’s commitment to cybersecurity and data security. The Tribes are working closely with the FBI and a Homeland Security contractor to investigate the source and scope of the cyberattack. Efforts are being made to identify vulnerabilities, enhance security measures, and develop comprehensive mitigation, response, and recovery plans in response to the incident.
Chairman Lee Juan Tyler informed employees and citizens about potential exposure of personal information during the incident, advising vigilance in monitoring financial accounts and credit reports. Several tribal departments resumed operations by August 26, with critical functions such as the gaming enterprise, economic development, agriculture corporation, housing department, and the tribal high school remaining unaffected due to operating on separate systems.
In response to the cyberattack, the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes engaged with federal agencies to investigate and resolve the matter. The FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Idaho are actively involved in the investigation to uncover those responsible for the breach. The tribe’s Information Technology Department, along with a cybersecurity firm, initiated an investigation upon discovering the breach and held meetings with employees and community members to address concerns.
The recovery process faced challenges, leading to the temporary closure of several departments and a gradual return to work by August 26. Operations were gradually resuming, with full departmental functionality restored by August 28. Despite ongoing efforts to secure and restore computer systems, downed phone lines remained a challenge for the tribe.
The economic impact study conducted by the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes revealed the implications of the cyberattack on the community and the local economy. With over 6,000 enrolled members and more than 1,000 employees, the incident has significant economic implications for the tribe, highlighting the importance of maintaining operational stability and securing systems for economic stability.
The incident prompted the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes to enhance their cybersecurity measures and collaborate with federal authorities to mitigate future risks. Transparency and community communication have been key focus areas for the tribe, as seen in their regular updates and efforts to educate the public about cybersecurity best practices. The tribe’s commitment to resolving the cybersecurity incident and strengthening security measures underscores the importance of addressing cybersecurity threats in tribal operations.