On December 5, Deloitte warned the Rhode Island state government that their online social services portal, RIBridges, was at risk of a cyberattack. By December 10, a breach was confirmed, leading to the shutdown of the portal on December 13 due to the presence of malicious code. The group Brain Cipher claimed responsibility for the attack and threatened to release stolen sensitive data.
RIBridges manages public benefits programs in Rhode Island, and Deloitte, the vendor, reported that no internal systems were impacted by the breach. The stolen data could include personal information like names, addresses, Social Security numbers, and banking details. Governor Daniel McKee urged residents to protect their information.
Brain Cipher is a new ransomware gang that has targeted government entities in other countries as well. The ransomware group has launched confirmed attacks in Indonesia and France, demanding significant ransoms. In the US, government entities have been frequent targets of ransomware attacks, resulting in substantial downtime and financial losses.
Despite limited cybersecurity budgets, state and local governments need to prioritize cybersecurity measures to protect valuable data and essential services. Implementing measures like multi-factor authentication, staff training, and regular vulnerability patching can help mitigate risks. Governments must also be prepared for cyberattacks, as threats are inevitable in today’s digital landscape. It is essential for government agencies to prioritize cybersecurity to safeguard sensitive information and prevent disruptions from cyber incidents.
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