IVYLAND, Pa. — Bucks County officials say the ransomware “Akira” is to blame for the recent troubles with the county’s 911 Communications Center.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHS), Akira is a Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) group that began operating in March 2023. The group targets sectors such as finance, real estate, manufacturing and healthcare by demanding ransom payments, according to the DHS.
Officials say Akira is so involved so it can have situational awareness and review external systems.
According to Bucks County Deputy Director of Communications James O’Malley, all 911 phone and radio systems are operational as the county works to restore its computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system.
O’Malley said the attack remains under investigation, by Bucks County and a third party, but limited information about the investigation can be shared because of its nature.
Additional updates will be provided as appropriate, according to O’Malley.
