Officials in New Britain are still assessing the damage more than two months after a cyberattack hit city systems, potentially exposing some personal information.

A spokesperson for Mayor Bobby Sanchez said recently that there’s no indication of widespread exposure of resident data. However, hackers may have gained access to some sensitive records during the Jan. 28 incident, including names, dates of birth, government-issued identification numbers and financial account and health-related information, according to the city.

Officials have released few details about what occurred, citing the ongoing investigation.

“Investigations of this nature are complex and must be handled carefully to protect the integrity of the review, support any potential law enforcement activity, and ensure accurate information is shared,” said Alisha Rayner, the mayor’s spokesperson.

The city detected the attack after an employee spotted unusual activity on a workstation. Several municipal systems “experienced disruption” during the incident, though an investigation found the “unauthorized activity was more limited in scope,” according to the city.

Cyberattacks on cities and towns have grown more common. Hackers breach or damage computer systems to steal sensitive data or hold systems for ransom — a scenario officials in New Britain faced, according to Evan Allard, the director of the Connecticut Intelligence Center, which is a part of the state Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

“Any organization that has sensitive or private data that you know they want to keep within their own systems, these ransomware actors are targeting them because it creates a sense of urgency towards paying it back,” Allard said.

New Britain consulted with a team of response experts at Cowbell Resiliency Services to determine the best course of action. It’s unclear whether the city paid a ransom. Responding by email to questions from Connecticut Public, Rayner said the city evaluated multiple response options, including restoring from backups.

“Based on that assessment, including operational impact, recovery timelines, and overall cost considerations, a course of action was taken to resolve the incident as quickly and securely as possible,” Rayner wrote.

Rayner said the financial hit to the city was limited because New Britain carries cybersecurity insurance. It has a $25,000 deductible under the policy, she said.

New Britain is providing credit monitoring and identity protection services to people who were potentially impacted.

While the investigation continues, the Common Council voted to replace New Britain’s existing cybersecurity system. The city executed a three-year contract with Cowbell Resiliency Services that includes round-the-clock security monitoring for a cost of $66,000 per year.

“It’s a full-on platform that is a little bit more enhanced and at a larger cost,” Jonathan Delgadillo, the city’s director of support services, said at a recent meeting. “But again, I think it’s the best thing for the city,”

New Britain Alderman John McNamara said he’s satisfied with the city’s handling of the cyberattack.

“I believe the city is taking appropriate steps and is advising city employees and taxpayers on what’s going on with it,” McNamara said. “I’m looking for additional reports and to take action in terms of anything that has to be improved upon.”

HARTFORD, CT (WFSB) – A state representative from Coventry has filed paperwork to run for lieutenant governor of Connecticut.

Republican Rep. Timothy Ackert, who represents Connecticut 8th Assembly District, had his paperwork received by state election officials on April 9.

The paperwork showed that he formed a candidate committee called “Ackert for Connecticut.”

As of Wednesday morning, Matthew Corey was the only Republican candidate in the primary for lieutenant governor.

The primary election is Aug. 11, 2026.

The general election is Nov. 3, 2026.

Copyright 2026 WFSB. All rights reserved.

Derek Ezovski, president of Outsourced Risk Management Solutions (ORMS) of West Hartford, has been named Connecticut Small Business Person of the Year.

By Ronni Newton

West Hartford entrepreneur Derek Ezovski, who launched his own company, Outsourced Risk Management Solutions (ORMS), after recognizing an important need in the lending process that few were equipped to easily and efficiently address, has been recognized by the SBA Connecticut District Office as Connecticut National Small Business Person of the Year.

Small Business Administration District Director Catherine Marx joined Ezovski and West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor, CT DECD Project Manager Sue Decima, West Hartford Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Chris Conway, and other officials as well as family, friends, and colleagues at a celebration at the ORMS office at 7 South Main Street on April 9.

ORMS President Derek Ezovski. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

“It’s a very niche part of the business, but it’s a very important part of what goes into a loan and making sure it gets done,” said Ezovski about ORMS’s role in performing environmental due diligence, including Phase I reports, for commercial real estate lenders. “We work with a lot of SBA lenders that have to get loans out to small businesses that don’t have a lot of knowledge of how to do it alone.”

Marx said “National Small Business Week” is the SBA’s favorite time of year. “This is a moment when we get to pause and recognize and celebrate our innovators, our job creators, and the entrepreneurs who shop up every day – every single day – to invest in our communities. They are the ones weaving the fabrics of our main streets – and our South Main Streets [where ORMS is physically located] – strengthening our neighborhoods and driving our economy forward.”

SBA District Director Catherine Marx. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Marx noted that Ezovski’s journey truly embodies that spirit of entrepreneurship, using his expertise in real estate and environmental risk to develop an understanding of the field, and then taking a risk to grow a business that supports the success of others. “This year’s Small Business Person of the Year has grown ORMS into a national service provider that is integral to the small business ecosystem, a testament to his perseverance, dedication, and honed expertise. This has created jobs within ORMS and for hundreds of small businesses that rely on his service. His work plays a vital role in powering the American Dream for so many,” she said, adding that it doesn’t happen overnight.

“It takes wisdom, it takes resilience, and it takes commitment to excellence,” Marx said. Through ORMS, a ripple effect has been created that assists SBA lenders in properly evaluating risk, “giving them the confidence to say yes to projects and loans that otherwise might stall. And with every yes, it means another business opens its doors, it means another business expands their operations, and it creates jobs.”

Mayor Shari Cantor delivers a proclamation to ORMS President Derek Ezovski. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Cantor, whose husband built a small business from scratch, noted that she understands the hours and hours of work involved to reach a level of success. She thanked Ezovski for his contributions, and also thanked West Hartford’s town manager and economic development division for working so hard to support small businesses.

Cantor presented Ezovski and ORMS with a proclamation honoring National Small Business Week and his being named Small Business Person of the Year.

CT DECD Project Manager Sue Decima with ORMS President Derek Ezovski. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Decima noted that in West Hartford, DECD has provided 18 loans for a total of $3.1 million through the Small Business Boost Fund – some of that lending assisted by the work of Ezovski and ORMS.

Conway said that when people think about West Hartford Center “they see the restaurants, they see the shops, they see the coffee. I don’t think enough people look up and know about the really cool, innovative, creative, hard work that goes on in all of these spaces up here,” he said of the ORMS second floor suite, above Blue Elephant Trail on South Main Street.

West Hartford Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Chris Conway congratulates ORMS President Derek Ezovski. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

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Ezovski said it’s hard to explain what they do – “which is actually the whole reason why our business is so important for small businesses.” When a small business owner is buying a piece of property it may be the only time they buy a piece of property other than their home, but hearing they need an expensive appraisal can be daunting. “So we started this company to try to help the lenders with a piece of the puzzle that they weren’t really experts in.”

ORMS President Derek Ezovski has been named Connecticut’s Small Business Person of the Year. Pictured with SBA District Director Catherine Marx. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Times were tough, and very challenging, when he started the company in 2009, Ezovski said, but they now have 25 people across the country.

“This has been a really big honor,” Ezovski said. Their team is committed to being part of the program, to supporting the American dream, he said.

The CBIA will hold an event in conjunction with the SBA at the Bristol Events Center, in Bristol, CT, on May 6, celebrating all of the 2026 Small Business Week award winners from Connecticut. To attend, register here: National Small Business Week 2026 – CBIA.

ORMS President Derek Ezovski has been named Connecticut’s Small Business Person of the Year. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

ORMS President Derek Ezovski has been named Connecticut’s Small Business Person of the Year. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

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