Amidst the aftermath of a cyberattack in late October, the Toronto Public Library (TPL) faces an extensive downtime of its systems, extending until 2024. The severity of the attack has led library officials to emphasize that the restoration of services will be a gradual process, with an initial focus on reinstating the library’s computer infrastructure and website functionality.
A statement released by officials indicated their anticipation of the gradual resumption of services starting in January. They highlighted the complex nature of the task at hand, involving TPL’s data center and interconnected systems across its 100 library branches.
Recognizing the inconvenience and prolonged period without full library services, TPL officials acknowledged that the timeline for recovery represents an aggressive yet necessary approach given the extent of the attack and the experiences of similar institutions. The cyber incident, labeled as a ransomware attack that targeted the library’s systems on October 28, resulted in a disruption of services.
While certain databases like cardholder and donor records remained unaffected, there are concerns regarding the potential compromise of private data belonging to current and former employees. Efforts to bolster network security and restore compromised systems are underway, with library staff collaborating closely with external cybersecurity experts to ensure the integrity of the network before services are fully reinstated.
Throughout this challenging period, library branches remain accessible for browsing and utilization of available services, albeit without the full suite of digital amenities due to the cyberattack. TPL officials urge patience and understanding from patrons while assuring the community that they are diligently working to resolve the situation and restore services as swiftly as possible.
