The British Virgin Islands Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) is currently dealing with a severe cyberattack that has disrupted its billing system. The ransomware attack, identified as being perpetrated by Akira ransomware, compromised the BVIEC’s systems over a period of weeks, ultimately necessitating a complete shutdown of its operations. The attack has been classified as a national security issue, with General Manager Neil Smith emphasizing its critical nature due to the essential role of the corporation in the territory’s infrastructure.
The breach has led to significant operational challenges, including a complete halt to automated billing and customer service systems. In response, BVIEC has reverted to manual processes, requiring employees to issue handwritten checks and calculate bills by hand. This disruption extends to the company’s financial systems, impacting both customer and supplier transactions. Financial Comptroller Carmen Sully confirmed that, while some billing data is available, the company is relying on average calculations for unrecorded readings.
BVIEC is working closely with cybersecurity experts and law enforcement to resolve the issue and restore normal operations. The company is currently asking customers to bring printed copies of their current bills or receipts to the BVIEC office in Long Bush for manual processing. Customers must first consult with a customer service representative before making any payments, and those without current bills will have their charges calculated based on average usage.
Despite the challenges, BVIEC has assured the public that efforts are being made to rectify the situation as quickly as possible. The company has apologized for the inconvenience and is encouraging residents to use average past bills to make payments during this interim period. BVIEC remains committed to resolving the issue and restoring full functionality to its billing and customer service systems.
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