Montclair’s computer systems have fallen victim to a cyberattack by a suspected “criminal group,” as Mayor Sean Spiller informed residents through a video message titled “Cyber Incident 2023.”
The incident has prompted the involvement of the New Jersey and national offices of Homeland Security, the FBI, and state law enforcement, who are actively working to identify the culprits responsible for similar attacks on other municipalities.
Mayor Spiller emphasized that the voting system remains unaffected and urged residents to exercise their right to vote amidst the ongoing investigation.
According to Councilor Peter Yacobellis, the township has been addressing the problem for the past few days, assuring residents that it will not directly impact them unless they need to contact a town employee.
As the cyber incident primarily targets government infrastructure, Yacobellis expects the costs incurred to be reimbursed by the federal government. While law enforcement continues their efforts to apprehend the responsible group, Mayor Spiller affirmed that the township’s main focus is to protect the system and restore full access to their systems and services.
Throughout the process, Montclair officials are dedicated to ensuring the security of their computer systems. Despite the intrusion by the criminal group, Mayor Spiller’s message emphasizes the importance of maintaining public trust in the voting system and highlights the ongoing commitment to safeguarding the township’s operations.
The collaborative efforts of local and national law enforcement agencies aim to bring the perpetrators to justice, while Montclair remains focused on resolving the issue and restoring normalcy for its residents.
