Panel investigating Suffolk County security cyberattack meets for 1st time
HAPPAUGE, Suffolk County (WABC) -- The special committee investigating the cyberattack against Suffolk County held its first meeting on Monday.
Hackers gained access to the county's computer system in December 2021, but the hack wasn't discovered until last September.
It forced the county to take its website and web applications down until February. In fact, property title searches and sewer bill payments are still not back online.
Hackers demanded a $2.5 million ransom, but the county never paid.
The panel is trying to figure out the source of the breach and what led up to it.
Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone announced the selection of Dr. Kenneth Brancik to serve as the County's first Chief Information Security Office (CISO).
Brancik will be tasked with setting cyber security policy, procedure, risk management and governance, along with advancing an enterprise wide security architecture for the entire county.
"As we work to move away from the decentralized IT structure that failed this county, our new CISO will be absolutely critical to creating an enterprise wide security architecture that will be responsible for a stronger and more resilient network," Bellone said. "With decades of experience at large and complex organizations, Dr.Brancik is uniquely qualified to serve the security needs of our many diverse departments and agencies.
ALSO READ | Brooklyn residents get scare after several manholes explode
----------
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News
Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.
