The Department of Ardèche still suffers the consequences of the cyberattack who struck him on April 6th. The data stolen by the hackers has indeed been released on the dark web – the clandestine web – Tuesday, April 12, from 1 a.m., at the end of the ultimatum they had set to obtain a ransom. More than a week after the computer attack, the chairman of the Department takes stock on France Bleu Drôme Ardèche.
It’s not a security issue. A network, IT specialists will tell you, is never 100% secure. This attack is premeditated and planned for a long time to be able to blackmail the Department – Olivier Amrane, president of the Department of Ardèche
“We have to put things into perspective. The Department of Ardèche is not an isolated case. Many other communities have been hacked for two years, and with more intensity since this international crisis” delays Olivier Amrane this Thursday on France Bleu Drôme Ardèche. A complaint has been filed with the gendarmerie and the National Commission for Computing and Liberties the day after the attack. The National Information Systems Security Agency has also been informed.
Services that are always idling
The activity of the network and the departmental computer system was quickly stopped, from the first day of the attack, to prevent the spread of the virus. In offices, employees no longer had digital tools and their work software.
– Department of Ardeche
“You have to be honest, it restarts slowly. We have set up approximately 40 workstations available in ‘clean rooms’ (Editor’s note – rooms off the computer network), which can resume service, in particular finance and HR, to pay our agents. On the floor of the Department, we put the social services so that the benefits are paid, APA and RSA” details Olivier Amrane. The road service is also concerned.
Stolen data disseminated: “no immediate danger” for Olivier Amrane
The President of the Department confirms dissemination of stolen files – there would be 40,000 according to Lockbit 2.0 cybercriminals. “These are files of people that we manage at the Department, we have seen a few identity cards, a few files of people who receive aid. But what is important to say is that these files are not accessible to the general public. Not everyone can enter the black market of hackers” wants to reassure Olivier Amrane.
“There is no immediate danger, but we recommend that our agents who have been able to store somewhat personal data on a hard drive – if only a RIB or a vital card – to change their passwords rapidly” continues the president of the Department.