Fulton County, the most populous county in Georgia and home to Atlanta, is grappling with a significant IT outage resulting from a cyberattack discovered over the weekend. The attack has affected county office phone systems, online transactions, and various services, including firearm and marriage licenses. Board of Commissioners Chairman Robb Pitts confirmed the cybersecurity incident during a press conference, stating that the investigation is still in its early stages. The outage impacts critical systems such as the phone, court, and tax systems, with no specific timeframe for full restoration provided yet. The FBI is actively involved in the investigation.
As the investigation unfolds, Fulton County, with over 1 million residents, faces challenges in maintaining essential services. The cybersecurity incident has prompted the closure of the Fulton County Tax Commissioner’s office in downtown Atlanta, affecting residents seeking services related to property taxes and the DMV. Public computers at county libraries experienced disruptions, reflecting the widespread impact on public services. While many Fulton County offices remain open, the incident underscores the vulnerability of local institutions to cyber threats.
The lack of a specific timeframe for system restoration adds uncertainty for citizens relying on county services, amplifying concerns about the overall resilience of critical infrastructure. With no group claiming responsibility for the cyberattack, parallels are drawn to previous incidents in Georgia, such as the AlphV ransomware gang’s targeting of Forsyth County and a ransomware attack on the government of Augusta. The broader context reveals a pattern of cyber threats affecting various institutions in the state, including the Georgia State Bar and Savannah College of Art and Design, emphasizing the need for robust cybersecurity measures across diverse sectors.
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