400 Local Governments Forced to Resort to Manual Processes as a Result of Cott Systems Cyber Attack

Exploit: Data Breach
Company: Cott Systems
Industry: Government Records Management
Sources: https://www.bankinfosecurity.com/cyberattack-on-records-vendor-affects-scores-us-counties-a-20856

The recent cyber attack on Cott Systems, a company that provides records management services for over 400 U.S. local and regional governments, has resulted in the disruption of its services. The attack resulted in Cott Systems shutting down its servers, which hold government data including public records, land records, and court cases. This has forced hundreds of local governments to resort to manual processes, slowing down the processing of vital records such as birth certificates, marriage licenses, and real estate transactions.

The cyber attack occurred on December 26th, and Cott Systems immediately unplugged its servers to isolate the intrusion. The company has not revealed details about the threat actor responsible for the attack, but has stated that the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security have been notified and are investigating the incident.

The ripple effect of the cyber attack is now being felt across the country as hundreds of local governments are forced to work with pen and paper. At least six counties in North Carolina have been locked out of their vital records systems and have had to fall back on updating records manually. Similarly, county clerks from Connecticut and Mississippi have reported similar slowdowns as services remain offline.

Despite the attack, Cott Systems has stated that there is no indication of a data breach and that its databases are in good order. However, the company has not given an "absolute" timeline for when its entire product line, which includes five systems used by local clerks and recorders to manage public and land records, property deeds, and court cases, will be resumed.

This incident highlights the importance of having proper cyber security measures in place to protect sensitive government data. With the increasing number of cyber attacks on government agencies and private companies, it is crucial for organizations to take proactive steps to protect their systems and data from malicious actors.

In conclusion, the cyber attack on Cott Systems has resulted in the disruption of services for hundreds of local governments and it highlights the importance of proper cyber security measures to protect sensitive government data. The company is working with the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security to investigate the incident and to restore services as quickly as possible. However, it is important for organizations to consider the risks and to take proactive measures to protect their systems and data from potential cyber attacks.