The City of Vicksburg, Mississippi, has shut down its computer systems after a ransomware attack, potentially delaying in-person utility payments while emergency response and utility service continue.
Mayor Willis Thompson told The Vicksburg Post that the city had disconnected its internet operations. “We had to bring our internet operations down, just for protection,” he said. Officials have not said when the intrusion or shutdown began.
Residents trying to pay utility bills in person may face delays. In a statement released Thursday, the city said “there will be no penalties or termination of services while this system is offline.”
The city's water and gas office says it serves more than 10,000 utility accounts.
The city said 911, police, fire and utility services remained operational. “Everybody on our network is affected to some degree,” Thompson told The Vicksburg Post. Officials did not specify which other city functions were impaired.
The city brought in outside cybersecurity specialists to investigate and said it was working to restore affected systems. Officials have not identified a responsible group, explained how the attackers got in or disclosed a ransom demand.
Investigators also have not determined whether anyone accessed or acquired personal or confidential information. The city said its review includes records relating to current and former customers, contractors, vendors, employees and business partners.
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Officials said they would notify affected people if the investigation finds that their information was compromised. The statement did not estimate how long the computer systems would be offline.
An April ransomware attack on Adams County, Mississippi, blocked access to court records and forced offices to accept only cash for vehicle tags. The sheriff's office remained operational because it used separate servers.
Vicksburg has not estimated when its computer systems will return. The city said it would provide updates as verified information becomes available.
