Priya PatelTLDR:
- The Town of Huntsville’s municipal office is closed for a second day due to a cybersecurity incident.
- Precautionary measures are being taken, and online services have been affected, but no evidence of data compromise has been found.
The Town of Huntsville in Ontario has closed its municipal office for a second day as specialists investigate a cybersecurity issue that was discovered over the weekend. This incident marks the second cybersecurity incident reported by an Ontario municipality in the last three weeks. While some online services have been affected, the town has stated that there is currently no evidence of any sensitive data, including personal information, being compromised. The town has taken precautionary measures to secure its network and is working with cybersecurity specialists to investigate the incident further.
In a broader context, cybersecurity incidents have been increasingly targeting municipalities in recent years, as shown by recent attacks on Hamilton and Toronto city-owned institutions. Experts emphasize the importance for all municipalities to establish plans to respond to such crises and address weaknesses in their systems. The Association of Municipalities of Ontario is actively encouraging members to prioritize cybersecurity policies and protocols as part of their emergency preparedness efforts, offering workshops in partnership with cybersecurity organizations like the Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst.
As the investigation in Huntsville continues, the town remains committed to transparency about the incident and its implications for the community. With cybersecurity threats on the rise, municipalities are advised to stay vigilant and proactive in protecting their systems and data from potential attacks.
