In a recent city council meeting, officials reported on a significant cybersecurity incident that occurred last month, where an unauthorized actor gained access to the city’s IT systems. The breach resulted in a ransom demand for sensitive data, including personal information of residents, such as names, addresses, and Social Security numbers.

The city council disclosed that they opted to pay a small ransom, a decision supported by insurance coverage. This payment was made to ensure that the compromised data would not be released online. Fortunately, there was no disruption in city services during the incident, and the council emphasized that they are working closely with law enforcement, including the FBI, to address the situation.

City officials are currently in the process of identifying potentially compromised personal information and will notify affected individuals, offering them free credit monitoring services. The council expressed confidence in their current security measures while acknowledging the need for improvements to prevent future incidents.

The city manager has been granted authority to engage legal and cybersecurity services beyond his usual limits, with contracts to be presented for council ratification in future sessions. A press release is expected to provide further details, and city officials will be available to answer questions from the media shortly.

The council's report highlighted the ongoing challenges posed by cybersecurity threats, underscoring the importance of vigilance in protecting sensitive information in an increasingly dangerous digital landscape.