Massive Data Breach in Columbus Over 3TB Files Leaked by Rhysida Ransomware Group

Columbus is grappling with the fallout from a significant data breach, as the Rhysida ransomware group has begun leaking over three terabytes of stolen data on the dark web. The breach, which targeted the city’s employees, comes after two failed auctions by the hackers to sell the data. 

The leak, which started early Thursday morning, includes a substantial portion of the 6.5 terabytes of data that Rhysida claims to have stolen. Among the leaked files are personal data from city employees’ computers and SQL backup files containing entire databases. 

Cybersecurity experts, including Ohio State Assistant Professor Carter Yagemann and CMIT Solutions’ Daniel Maldet, have confirmed the data’s release.

While the complete extent of the breach remains unclear, NBC4 has verified that the leaked data contains files related to current city employees, as well as at least one contractor and a former staff member who left in 2021. 

The hackers initially demanded 30 bitcoin (approximately USD 1.7 million) as the starting bid for the auction, but this failed to attract buyers.

However, cybersecurity expert Shawn Waldman has warned that the situation is dire, especially as the city has only just begun rolling out credit monitoring for affected individuals. 

“The fact that some of the personally identifiable information

[…]
Content was cut in order to protect the source.Please visit the source for the rest of the article.