Suffolk County Will Notify Anyone Whose Data Was Compromised In Cyber Attack, Bellone Says

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone announced that residents whose private information is comprised due to a cyber attack this month will be notified by county officials.

Dark web hackers have comprised Suffolk County computer services, including personal data of residents and people and companies that have business with the county.
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Kathy Reakes

09/21/2022 1:10 p.m.

Cybercriminals on the "dark web" hacked into the county government system on Thursday, Sept. 8, and since that time have demanded a "ransom," to get the system back online, although county officials have not confirmed a ransom has been demanded.

Bellone said on Tuesday, Sept. 20, anyone whose data was compromised will be offered free identity theft protection services.

Officials added that it does not have a number of people who may have had their data compromised.

Bellone also said on Tuesday, Sept. 20 that the county submitted formal notification of the data hack to the attorney general's office.

The hack has caused a massive problem for county agencies that have been working to protect sensitive information.

One of the larger problems with the hack has been police operations which have had to borrow extra 911 workers, as well as help so officers who make stops have to reroute their calls for information on the person stopped.

On Monday, Sept. 19, Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney K. Harrison said during a press conference that currently, 911 operators are handwriting information from callers that are then hand-delivered to dispatchers.

Harrison added that the state Department of Homeland Security will provide technology that will enable the department to bring its computer-aided dispatch system back online.

This continues to be a developing story. Check back to Daily Voice for updates.

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