Rhode Island
Rhode Island's RIBridges system breached in cyberattack targeting personal data – SiliconANGLE
An unknown threat actor has stolen data belonging to potentially hundreds of thousands of residents of Rhode Island in a cyberattack and is threatening to release the data if a payment is not made.
The cyberattack was first detected on Dec. 5 when Rhode Island state officials were informed by its technology vendor, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Ltd., that the RIBridges data system had been the target of a potential cyberattack. RIBridges is Rhode Island’s integrated online system for managing public assistance programs.
Forward to Dec. 10 and Deloitte then advised the state that the RIBridges system had been breached and that those behind the breach had sent a screenshot of file folders stolen to Deloitte. The following day, Deloitte confirmed that there was a high probability that the folders contained personally identifiable data from RIBridges.
On Dec. 13, Deloitte confirmed that it had found malicious code in the system. The state then directed Deloitte to shut RIBridges down to remediate the threat.
According to a press release from the governor of Rhode Island, the data stolen may include any individual who has received or applied for health coverage or health and human services programs or benefits. The programs and benefits managed through the RIBridges system include Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, the Child Care Assistance Program, health coverage purchased through HealthSource Rhode Island, Rhode Island Works, Long-Term Services and Supports and the General Public Assistance Program.
Data stolen may include names, addresses, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers, as well as certain banking information. Rhode Island is providing those affected with free credit monitoring and a dedicated call center for assistance.
Data theft isn’t new, but some parts are missing from this story. Ransomware has not been mentioned, nor have any files reported being encrypted. However, ransomware operators in 2024 have been known to skip encryption and simply steal data to extort victims with a promise that the data will be released unless payment is made. Whether such an attack would still count as ransomware versus simply extortion likely doesn’t matter to the victims.
Whatever the finer details, hundreds of thousands of Rhode Island residents have had their personal data stolen weeks before the New Year, a new year that promises even more such attacks as ransomware operators and similar threat groups continue to cast a wide net for victims.
Image: SiliconANGLE/Ideogram
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The Rhode Island Blood Center is asking for donations after the fatal shooting at Brown University on Saturday.
Several donor centers have extended hours available as they respond to the emergency.
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Anyone interested can sign up for an appointment on the organization’s website.
PROVIDENCE — The Rhode Island Blood Center’s blood supply was low before Saturday’s mass shooting at Brown University, and it is immediately stepping up blood drives to meet the need, an official said Sunday.
“We were definitely dealing with some issues with inventory going into the incident,” Executive Director of Blood Operations Nicole Pineault said.
The supply was especially low for Type 0 positive and negative, which are often needed for mass casualty incidents, she said. Type 0 negative is considered the “universal” red blood donor, because it can be safely given to patients of any blood type.
Pineault attributed the low supply to weather, illness, and the lingering effects of the pandemic. With more people working from home, blood drives at office buildings are smaller, and young people — including college students — are not donating blood at the same rate as they did in the past, she said.
“There are a lot challenges,” she said.
But people can help by donating blood this week, Pineault said, suggesting they go to ribc.org or contact the Rhode Island Blood Center at (401) 453-8383 or (800) 283-8385.
The donor room at 405 Promenade St. in Providence is open seven days a week, Pineault said. Blood drives were already scheduled for this week at South Street Landing in Providence and at Brown Physicians, and the blood center is looking to add more blood drives in the Providence area this week, she said.
“It breaks my heart,” Pineault said of the shooting. “It’s a terrible tragedy. We run blood dives regularly on the Brown campus. Our heart goes out to all of the victims and the staff. We want to work with them to get the victims what they need.”
She said she cannot recall a similar mass shooting in Rhode Island.
“In moments of tragedy, it’s a reminder to the community how important the blood supply really is,” Pineault said. “It’s an easy way to give back, to help your neighbors, and be ready in unfortunate situations like this.”
The Rhode Island Blood Center has donor centers in Providence, Warwick, Middletown, Narragansett, and Woonsocket, and it has mobile blood drives, she noted.
On Sunday, the center’s website said “Donors urgently needed. Hours extended at some donor centers, 12/14.”
Edward Fitzpatrick can be reached at edward.fitzpatrick@globe.com. Follow him @FitzProv.
Authorities said two people were killed and eight more were injured in a mass shooting at Brown University, an Ivy League school in Rhode Island. Authorities said students were on campus for the second day of final exams.
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