March 6, 2024 |
Photo – Computer network image – Courtesy Field Engineer
The city of Rawlins thanks county department heads for their assistance during last November’s cyber-attack on the city’s computer network.
On November 8th of last year, the United States Department of Homeland Security informed Rawlins officials that someone had hacked into the city’s computer servers. A month after the hack, Rawlins Police Chief Mike Ward said a multi-state cyber security agency assured him that no personal information of residents was stolen in the attack.
During yesterday’s Board of Carbon County Commissioners meeting, Commissioner Travis Moore read a letter sent to the board by Rawlins Mayor Terry Weickum and City Manager Tom Sarvey. Commissioner Moore, reading from the letter, said Carbon County Emergency Manager Lenny Layman’s fast response was critical to minimizing any potential damage from the cyber-incursion.
Commissioner Moore continued to read from the Rawlins letter. The commissioner said Emergency Manager Layman quickly contacted state and federal agencies to aid in the investigation.
In their letter, Rawlins Mayor Weickum and City Manager Sarvey also thanked Carbon County IT Director Matt Webster. Commissioner Moore, reading from the letter, said upon learning of the cyber-attack, IT Director Webster immediately severed the connection between the Rawlins computer servers and the county. Doing this caused the Rawlins Police Department to lose access to its reporting program. Commissioner Moore said the City of Rawlins appreciated Webster’s help during the emergency.
Rawlins officials said the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office was responsible for allowing the Rawlins Police Department to remain operational while the city recovered from the breach. Reading from the city’s letter, Commissioner Moore said Sheriff Alex Bakken allowed Rawlins officers to use his equipment while the cyber security threat was being investigated.
While the Rawlins police were operating out of the sheriff’s department and unable to access their own network, county dispatchers listened in on all emergency calls and relayed any required information to the Rawlins dispatchers.
The letter ended by thanking all the county employees who helped Rawlins during the cyber-attack.
Commission Chairwoman Sue Jones said she appreciated the letter. Chairwoman Jones said cyber-security threats are not to be taken lightly and the county must work together to mitigate any potential damage.
The federal Department of Homeland Security is handling the investigation into the Rawlins cyber-breach. Unfortunately, because the hacker could be anywhere in the world, his or her identity may never be known. However, Rawlins officials said the method the hacker used to access the city’s network was discovered and corrected.
