The Calgary Public Library is reportedly undertaking a three-phase process to fully restore its services following a ransomware attack earlier this month. The library, with assistance from cybersecurity specialists and a team from Microsoft, has concluded its inquiry into the cyberattack. The investigation revealed that while its servers were compromised, the incident did not have an impact on its business operations, employee details, or member data.
Sarah Meilleur, the Library’s CEO, acknowledged the role of their security systems in promptly identifying the breach and thwarting the cyberattack. The library’s surveillance mechanisms detected unusual activity on its servers on October 10th, prompting a swift response. As part of their containment strategy, the library decided to proactively shut down all servers and systems on October 11th.
Despite causing a significant disruption in services, leading to the temporary shutdown of all library branches, the swift action was deemed necessary by the investigation. Meilleur acknowledged the inconvenience caused to both staff and members due to the closures but also emphasized that this strategic move was what saved their infrastructure.
The first phase of recovery will involve securing staff networks, devices, communication, and connectivity across all of the library’s 23 work sites. Following this, some digital and technology services will be reintroduced before full services are eventually restored. However, Meilleur could not provide a definite timeline for when full restoration of services would occur. She also mentioned that the reason behind the library being targeted remains unknown.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of robust cybersecurity measures, not just for businesses and individuals, but also for public institutions. It is an area that those interested in investing in technology and security services may want to explore further, given the increasing prevalence of such cyberattacks.
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