Maine's Franklin County Recovers from Ransomware Attack, Faces Questions on Delay
Franklin County, seated in Farmington, Maine, experienced a ransomware attack on February 6, 2025, briefly disrupting its computer network. County Administrator Amy Bernard confirmed that while the attack temporarily impacted systems, prior investments in backup technology allowed the IT department to restore full functionality within 24 hours. Officials immediately contacted their cyber insurance provider, enlisted third-party technical specialists, and notified law enforcement. However, more than three weeks later, the county had not publicly disclosed the incident until today.
A forensic investigation has since concluded, leading to enhanced security measures. While no permanent data loss occurred, officials are still assessing whether sensitive information was accessed. Bernard emphasized that transparency remains a priority, and the county will notify affected individuals if necessary. While the swift recovery efforts are commendable, the delay in public disclosure raises concerns about the county’s communication strategy in handling cyber incidents.