Spartanburg County in South Carolina is currently dealing with a ransomware attack that has disrupted several county services. The county has refused to pay the ransom and is working closely with federal and state authorities to investigate the incident. While the exact details of the attack are not yet clear, this incident is just the latest in a growing list of ransomware attacks targeting local municipalities across the United States.
Why it Matters: According to Statista, ransomware attacks on organizations have increased by 15% since 2018, and the public sector is particularly vulnerable to cyber threats. Public sector organizations must prioritize their cybersecurity measures to protect against cybercrime. Ransomware attacks on businesses are on the rise and can result in significant financial losses and damage to an organization’s reputation. Organizations should have a solid incident response plan in place to quickly detect, respond to, and recover from any cyber incidents.
- The county has refused to pay the ransom and is working with federal and state authorities to investigate the incident. Sending a strong signal that these attacks will not be tolerated.
- State officials say that “all essential services continue to operate, including 9-1-1 operations and emergency communications.”
- Spartanburg County is the latest in a growing list of local municipalities to suffer a ransomware attack, underscoring the persistent threat of cybercrime to organizations of all sizes and the need for robust cybersecurity measures.
