West Chester Township has reported a potential cybersecurity breach, marking the second attack by the same malicious hacking group in a month. The township’s central email server was targeted, but there is currently no evidence of data theft. Following the initial attack on August 12, West Chester has collaborated with the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center, legal advisors, and cybersecurity experts to investigate and bolster its defenses. A forensic analysis is underway, and measures have been implemented to secure critical systems and sensitive information. This incident follows a similar cybersecurity event in Middletown, which disrupted various city services. It remains uncertain if the same group is responsible for both attacks. Cybersecurity experts highlight that local governments are increasingly targeted due to their limited resources compared to larger corporations. However, initiatives like the Ohio Persistent Cyber Improvement for Local Government are helping public employees learn to prevent and respond to such threats. Citizens are advised to use multi-factor authentication, maintain strong passwords, and monitor their credit for unusual activity. West Chester will provide updates as more information becomes available.
Is West Chester facing another cybersecurity threat?
