The LockBit ransomware gang has targeted Fulton County, Georgia, and is demanding payment to prevent the release of confidential documents. Fulton County, home to Atlanta, experienced significant IT outages impacting phone, court, and tax systems over a weekend in January. Despite ongoing efforts to restore services, challenges persist, including delays in property tax processing and water billing.
Fulton County Chair Robb Pitt confirmed the ransomware attack but assured citizens that there is no evidence of sensitive information theft at this stage of the investigation. However, the LockBit group claims to have accessed and stolen sensitive data, threatening to make it public if their demands are not met. The group has set a deadline of February 16 for the county to comply with their ransom demand.
LockBit’s threat adds urgency to the situation, as they promise to release documents marked as confidential, potentially exposing citizens’ personal data. While Fulton County explores recovery options, including insurance coverage, their response suggests a reluctance to entertain the ransom demands, indicating a standoff with the cybercriminals.
