On January 7, 2025, the Laramie County Library System in Cheyenne, Wyoming, fell victim to a ransomware attack. The incident disabled library servers and most digital services. However, the library’s IT team swiftly restored operations by reverting systems to a previous state by 9:00 AM the same day. Initial assessments suggest the attackers intended to disrupt services for financial gain rather than targeting sensitive patron data, which remains secure as the Wyoming State Library manages it.
This rapid recovery marks a departure from the prolonged disruptions typically associated with ransomware attacks. Similar incidents at public institutions have left systems crippled for days or even weeks before operations could fully resume. The swift response by LCLS highlights the importance of proactive IT measures and effective contingency planning in mitigating the impact of such attacks.
