Leicester City Council has been grappling with the aftermath of a ransomware attack that occurred seven weeks ago, severely crippling its IT systems and leading to ongoing service disruptions. One of the more visible effects of this cyber attack has been the malfunctioning of streetlights across the city, which have been stuck on all day and night. This issue stems from the attack’s impact on the council’s central management system, which is responsible for controlling the street lighting. The situation has led to increased costs and concerns about safety and energy waste among residents.
The cyber attack, executed by a group of online criminals on March 7, not only brought the city council’s IT operations to a standstill but also led to the unauthorized publication of confidential documents online. These documents included sensitive information such as rent statements and applications to purchase council houses, compromising the privacy of countless individuals. The broad impact of the attack highlights the vulnerability of municipal systems to sophisticated cyber threats and underscores the need for robust cybersecurity measures.
Residents of Beaumont Leys, like 65-year-old Roger Ewens, have noticed the streetlights in their area remaining lit throughout the day and have raised concerns to the city council. In response, the council acknowledged that the continuous operation of streetlights is directly related to the cyber attack’s disruption of their control systems. They’ve communicated to residents that efforts are underway to resolve the issue, though it may take some time to rectify fully.
A city council spokesperson has explained that due to the cyber attack, the IT systems had to be shut down, which in turn affected their ability to remotely identify and fix faults in the street lighting system. The lights’ default safety mode—to remain on to avoid unlit roads and potential safety hazards—has been activated as a result. The council is actively working through several necessary steps to restore normal function and manage the ongoing operational and financial implications of the attack. This incident serves as a critical reminder of the cascading effects that cyberattacks can have on municipal services and the importance of cybersecurity vigilance.
