WINONA, Minn. (WKBT) — Winona County commissioners say the county paid $128,539.57 in connection with a ransomware attack detected in January.
The county said Thursday it discovered ransomware on its computer network Jan. 22 and immediately began an investigation with third-party forensic experts and federal law enforcement. The county notified affected individuals, posted information on its website and notified media May 12, officials said.
Commissioners said they decided to negotiate and make the payment with help from the county’s insurance carrier to help fully restore county services and protect personal information.
The county also reported a separate, unrelated ransomware incident detected April 7. Officials said they again launched an investigation with cybersecurity and data-forensics consultants and notified federal law enforcement and state agencies.
Winona County is reviewing data affected by the April incident to determine what information was involved and who was impacted. The county said people whose Social Security or driver’s license numbers were affected will be offered complimentary credit monitoring and related services in their notification letters.
Commissioners said the incidents demonstrate the ongoing threat posed by sophisticated cybercriminals and said the county will continue taking measures to reduce the risk of another attack.
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