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.