The ransomware attack has hit the environmental regulator SEPA and demands a ransom to unlock its digital systems.
The ransomware attack has hit the Scottish environmental regulator SEPA and demands a ransom to unlock its digital systems.
Cybersecurity specialists have identified that more than 1.2 GB data have been stolen with indications suggesting that at least 4,000 files may have been accessed.
“SEPA confirms ongoing ransomware attack likely to be by international serious and organised cyber-crime groups intent on disrupting public services and extorting public funds," reported the agency.
Company’s critical services, such as priority regulatory, monitoring, flood forecasting and warning services, have not beenaffected. The ransomware attack took place at one minute past midnight on Christmas Eve.
The Email systems were impacted by the Xmas Eve ransomware attack and are still down with internal systems and external data products offline.
"[E]mail, staff schedules, a number of specialist reporting tools, systems and databases remain unavailable with the potential for access to a series of systems and tools to be unavailable for a protracted period," SEPA said.
Even though SEPA didn’t specify the attack to any particular ransomware operation, the data has begun to be leaked online by the Conti ransomware gang, which has claimed the credit for the attack.
The company states that the infected systems are isolated, and it may take a significant period for recovery.
SEPA said that it had implemented business continuity plans and was working with the Scottish Government, Police Scotland and the U.K National Cyber Security Center “to respond to what appears to be complex and sophisticated criminality.”
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