In June, Albemarle County experienced a ransomware attack that potentially exposed personal information of residents and employees. The incident, occurring between June 10-11, led to unauthorized access to sensitive data, including names, birth dates, and Social Security numbers. Although there is no evidence of misuse, the county is offering free credit monitoring and identity protection to residents and employees to ensure peace of mind.
Upon discovering the breach on June 11, the county swiftly enacted security measures and consulted cybersecurity experts. Services were temporarily disrupted, and law enforcement agencies were notified. The attack is believed to have started on the afternoon of June 10 and continued overnight.
Albemarle County has since reviewed and enhanced its cybersecurity measures. Despite the attack, the county successfully restored its data from backups without paying a ransom. In a related incident, Waynesboro faced a similar data breach earlier in the year.
To aid affected individuals, Albemarle County provides complimentary credit monitoring and identity theft restoration services through Kroll. Residents seeking these services can contact Kroll or county officials for more information. Additional details about the incident can be found on the county’s website.
