Columbus Cyberattack Spurs Enhanced Security Measures

Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther announced that the ransomware attack on the city resulted in the theft of data that was largely corrupted or encrypted and thus unusable for the attackers. Despite claims by the Rhysida ransomware group of having 6.5 terabytes of data, forensic investigations revealed they had far less, and their auction attempts failed. However, cybersecurity expert Connor Goodwolf found some personal information such as Social Security numbers and driver's license details, which raises concerns about potential identity theft. The city is now focused on increasing digital security and has spent significant amounts on credit monitoring for affected employees. Mayor Ginther stressed that the attack caused no public data exposure and that no ransom was demanded. The incident has prompted Columbus to enhance its cybersecurity measures to prevent future breaches.