Hamilton Public Library’s services have been severely disrupted for three months following a ransomware attack on the City of Hamilton’s computer systems. Public computers remain offline at all 23 library branches, and there’s no clear timeline for when these services will be restored.
The cyberattack occurred on February 25, forcing the library to shut down various services to prevent further damage. Chief librarian and CEO Paul Takala explained that this was a necessary precaution to ensure the safety of the library’s systems. Although some services, like free WiFi, have been restored, the process of building a more secure network to safely reintroduce public computer access is still ongoing.
The uncertainty surrounding the timeline for full restoration is a major concern. “Speculating isn’t helpful,” said Takala. “We hope it will be soon, but we must be careful and can’t make any commitments.”
The prolonged outage has had a significant impact on library patrons like Deepthi Jayatunge, who relies on the library’s computers for various tasks. Jayatunge, who is studying for a certificate at McMaster University, typically prints lecture materials and uses the library’s reliable internet to connect with family in Sri Lanka. The absence of these services has created difficulties, especially for those who do not have alternative access.
This article has been indexed from CySecurity News – Latest Information Security and Hacking Incidents