News > Cyber-Attacks > Ransomware
by Kevin Wood

St. Cloud, Florida Hit by Ransomware Attack, Disrupting City Services

Local government hit

The City of St. Cloud, Florida has confirmed that it has fallen victim to a significant ransomware attack. The attack has disabled critical city computer systems, impacting online services and potentially compromising sensitive data.

St. Cloud, a city of approximately 60,000 residents located south of Orlando, disclosed the attack on Monday. Officials are still assessing the full extent of the damage, but initial reports indicate that several city departments have been affected.

Ransomware attacks involve malicious software that encrypts a victim’s files, rendering them inaccessible. The attackers then demand a ransom payment, usually in cryptocurrency, in exchange for the decryption key that can restore access to the data.

The City of St. Cloud is working with law enforcement and cybersecurity experts to investigate the attack and recover systems. In a statement, city officials emphasized that police and fire services are still responding to calls, but other aspects of city operations are currently disrupted.

Impact on Services

Residents may experience the following disruptions due to the cyberattack:

• Online Payments: In-person cash-only payments are currently required for Parks and Recreation services and events.
• Facility Reservations: Online facility reservations and event registrations are temporarily unavailable.
• Other Potential Impacts: Disruptions to utility billing, building inspections, or other city services are possible.

The city is advising residents to remain vigilant and monitor their bank accounts and credit reports for signs of unauthorized activity in case personal data was compromised during the attack.

Recovery Efforts Underway

The City of St. Cloud has initiated its cybersecurity incident response plan. IT teams are working to isolate affected systems to contain the spread of the malware and begin the process of restoring services. It is currently unknown whether the city has data backups that can be used for recovery or if a ransom demand has been made by the attackers.

The attack on St. Cloud highlights the ongoing threat ransomware poses to cities, businesses, and critical infrastructure. While the city works to recover from this attack, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of robust cybersecurity defenses and preparedness for such incidents.

Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.