The City of Modesto, CA recently announced that the Modesto Police Department (MPD) has suffered a ransomware attack which has led to the exposure of personal data. The incident is believed to have occurred on February 3rd, 2023. According to officials, the threat actors were only able to gain access to the police department’s computer systems and no other city systems were affected. The attackers stole sensitive data including names, Social Security numbers, and addresses of some individuals. The department has stated that it is taking the incident very seriously and has launched an investigation into the matter. It is also working with the FBI and other law enforcement agencies to identify the person or group that was behind the attack and bring them to justice. The City of Modesto is beginning to notify all affected individuals by U.S. mail and is providing them with free credit monitoring and identity theft protection services. The department is also advising all staff to be vigilant and take appropriate security measures, including changing their passwords and enabling two-factor authentication.
Analyst Notes
This incident serves as a reminder of the growing threat of cyber-attacks and that no industry or organization is off limits. This also highlights the need for organizations to take proactive steps to protect their data and systems. All organizations, both public and private, should review their security practices on a regular basis and take appropriate measures to safeguard their sensitive data from cyber threats.
https://www.govtech.com/security/personal-data-exposed-in-cyber-attack-on-modesto-calif-pd
