The municipality of Korneuburg, Austria, finds itself in turmoil following a ransomware attack that has disrupted vital services and led to the cancellation of funerals. With the town hall’s data compromised, including backups, officials are scrambling to rectify the situation and ensure the security of sensitive information. Residents have been informed that only telephone communication with town hall staff is possible, underscoring the severity of the cyberattack’s impact on daily operations. Despite facing an extortion demand, authorities have refused to entertain negotiations with cybercriminals, prioritizing the protection of community interests.
The attack, discovered by the town hall’s IT manager Christopher Kremlicka, has thrown the municipality into chaos, leaving essential functions paralyzed. Funeral proceedings have been halted due to the inability to issue death certificates, a critical component of the burial process. Reports indicate that all data held by the administration, including backups, has been affected, exacerbating the challenges faced in restoring normalcy. The incident has prompted local officials to seek assistance from law enforcement agencies to investigate the attack and the extortion attempt.
Deputy mayor Helene Fuchs-Moser, leading the response effort in the absence of the mayor, has emphasized the town’s commitment to resilience in the face of adversity. Despite assurances of system safety from recent certifications, the attack highlights the ever-evolving threat landscape posed by cybercriminals. The municipality remains steadfast in its refusal to yield to the demands of the perpetrators, signaling a firm stance against ransomware extortion attempts. As authorities work tirelessly to address the fallout from the attack, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for robust cybersecurity measures to safeguard critical infrastructure and community well-being.
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