State Investigates Potential Cyberattack Affecting Information Systems
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Alabama Office of Information Technology (OIT) is probing a potential data breach and cyberattack impacting multiple state information systems, as confirmed by Governor Kay Ivey’s office on Monday.
Gina Maiola, communications director for Governor Ivey, stated, “The security and reliability of our systems is a top priority.” Immediate measures have been enacted to mitigate the situation, with OIT collaborating with a renowned cybersecurity firm to investigate the breach, secure networks, and restore affected services.
The incident was first detected on Friday evening, though the exact cause of the attack remains under scrutiny. Residents may experience disruptions in state website accessibility, email, and phone communications. OIT, tasked with managing IT services across state agencies, will maintain an updated section on its website regarding the cybersecurity event.
Maiola noted that while some state employee usernames and passwords had been compromised, there is currently no evidence suggesting that personal identifiable information of Alabama citizens was breached. In light of the attack, state employees have been urged to remain vigilant against potentially harmful emails.
If the cyberattack is classified as a violation of Alabama’s computer tampering laws, the perpetrators may face severe penalties, with a Class B felony carrying a possible sentence of up to 20 years and fines of up to $30,000. Should the attack result in financial losses exceeding $100,000 or cause physical injury, it could escalate to a Class A felony, potentially leading to life imprisonment.
OIT’s ongoing investigation aims to clarify the event’s scope and ensure the state’s digital infrastructure remains secure. Further updates will be provided as details emerge.
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