Augusta, GA

Expert weighs in on what’s ahead following Augusta cyber-attack

Published

11 months ago

June 6, 2023

Expert weighs in on what’s ahead following Augusta cyber-attack

AUGUSTA, Ga. –
Augusta commissioners held their first regular meeting Tuesday for the first time since mid-May. City leaders say they’re working to get the network back to full capacity after a cyber-attack. FOX54’S Lauren Young was first to break news of a *new* data dump by an alleged ransomware outfit.

On Tuesday, she spoke with a threat analyst about moving the Cyber City forward.
“A path forward”—that’s what one source tells FOX54 the city of Augusta has embarked upon in the wake of the cyber-attack which crippled its network three weeks ago.

FOX54’S Lauren Young spoke with Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson, who says transparency is always his priority—but he must continue to withhold comment at this time, per the advice of legal counsel. Brett Callow, threat analyst for cyber security firm “Emsisoft” tells FOX54 – this investigation could take time, and as city leaders continue to decline comment. Blackbyte has shared at least 70 gigabytes of Augusta’s data online. “They will try to use that period of uncertainty to their advantage,” Callow said.

One city source tells us local leaders could spend as much as $500,000 to a company which will be tasked with “restoring” the network.
“Attackers could have created back doors into the network that they can use to get back in at a later date. So, the restoration process is about making sure the network is safe and secure, restoring the backup, which isn’t necessarily a quick and easy process—there are very often hiccups, and it’s a matter possibly of bolstering security to make sure this doesn’t happen again,” Callow said.

But the expenses likely won’t stop there. Following a similar cyber security breach, the city of Oakland, California now faces multiple class action lawsuits according to Callow, one from its citizens and one from its police department—and Callow says litigation of this nature may be a part of Augusta’s near future as well.
“There is a distinct possibility of one or more lawsuits being brought in relation to this,” said Callow.

And while experts say the city should not pay the hackers the $400,000 ransom listed on what appears to be Blackbyte’s dark web homepage, the issue stands to cost taxpayers a yet unknown amount in potential damages. Lauren asked multiple government sources about the city’s insurance policy and if it may pay out on any of the costs related to this situation. “I can’t share anything regarding that as well,” said Mayor Johnson.
Mayor Johnson tells me he looks forward to sharing information and answering any questions at the conclusion of the investigation. He says his promise of transparency and accountability remain of utmost concern.

FOX54 is continuing to follow this story closely. For all the latest information as we learn more, download the FOX54 news now app for free from Google Play or the App Store.

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Augusta, GA

Early voting starts Monday. Here’s what Augusta-area residents will be voting on.

Published

11 mins ago

April 26, 2024

Press Room

Early voting starts Monday. Here’s what Augusta-area residents will be voting on.

It’s once again time to hit the polls to decide on some big positions and decisions.

Georgia’s General Primary and Nonpartisan Elections kick off with early voting April 29, and there are several Augusta-area seats up for re-election.

Early voting runs on weekdays through May 17 with Saturday voting scheduled for May 4 and 11. Election Day is May 21 and, if a runoff becomes necessary, it will be June 18.

Polls in Richmond County will be open 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Augusta-Richmond County Municipal Building at 535 Telfair St., the Charles Evans Community Center at 1866 Highland Ave., the Robert Howard Community Center at 103 Diamond Lakes Way, and the Warren Road Recreation Center at 300 Warren Rd.

Candidates: Here are the qualifying candidates in upcoming Augusta-area elections

Polls in Columbia County will be open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Building G3 of the Evans Government Complex at 610 Ronald Reagan Dr. and at the former Euchee Creek Library in Grovetown at 5907 Euchee Creek Dr.

Richmond County offices up for grabs include five Augusta Commission seats, one judge’s seat on Augusta’s Superior Court, sheriff, district attorney, and the District 12 seat on the U.S. House of Representatives. Augusta voters will also decide if the mayor should get an equal vote to the Augusta Commissioners rather than just a tie-breaker vote.

Columbia County offices up for grabs include coroner, two county commission seats, and one school board seat.

While there are other local seats up for election, they only have one incumbent.

For more information and to view a sample ballot, go to mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/.

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Augusta, GA

Augusta University golf teams celebrate conference wins

Published

7 hours ago

April 26, 2024

Press Room

Augusta University golf teams celebrate conference wins

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta University men’s golf team is back home, celebrating their second straight Southland Conference Championship after a dominating 18-stroke victory in Texas.

The Jags had the top two finishers in the individual part of the tournament.

The team features four international players, and the lone American is from our own backyard.

“I’m from Augusta. I grew up in the area,” said senior Dean Wilken. “My dad taught me to play and helped me fall in love with the game. Being part of this team has been special for me. All the guys are really nice and a really talented group of guys and being on a team where I can rely on all four of the guys in front of me and behind me is really special.”

The Augusta University women’s team is also taking home several honors including three first-team all-conference.

Junior Kennedy Carroll is this year’s Player of the Year In the Southland Conference.

The Lady Jags won the conference tournament last week by 67 strokes.

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