Cobb County government has created some additional information and set up a hotline to address any further issues stemming from a data breach of its computer networks in March.
Cobb’s websites include options for paying property tax and water bills, view meeting agendas, conduct online library searches and to register and pay for for recreation and arts classes.
In a notice issued on Friday, Cobb government said that it has notified by mail those who have been affected by what has been acknowledged to be a ransomware attack.
“However, Cobb County is making individuals aware that there may have been additional personally identifiable information present in the involved systems at the time of the event” that is prompting the additional information, via an FAQ listing, to be provided.
The FAQ can be viewed by clicking here; the hotline number is 855-260-8394 between 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
In its Friday release, which also served as a required official public notice, the county said that the data breach began on March 6, about two weeks earlier than has been previously acknowledged, and that “files were accessed and copied from a limited number of Cobb County systems by an unauthorized actor.”
The county has not acknowledged a report that the data breach was the work of a cybercrime gang that affected 10 individual accounts.
“There have been no significant developments concerning this incident since our last update. To date, only the original ten individuals have received notification letters,” the county said with its release Friday.
In the FAQ also released Friday, the county said that “if Cobb County determines that your information is specifically impacted, Cobb County will notify you consistent with its legal obligations.”
Being notified does not necessarily mean that someone has been a victim of identity theft, but “this time, there is no indication that anyone’s information has been subject to actual or attempted misuse in connection with this event.”
The information page also includes contact information for citizens interested in protecting their own information, including obtaining credit reports, and as well as the Georgia Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division.
Cobb officials said last week that starting June 2, the main county website will be moving to the .gov domain, which will provide enhanced security, and that those plans have been in the works for nearly a year, before the data breach.
Related:
- Cobb government to move county website to .gov domain
- Cobb commissioner split on funding MUST cooling center
- Cobb Chairwoman to deliver State of the County address
- Allen takes office as Cobb commission special elections certified
- Cobb government acknowledges ransomware attack
- Cobb government said data breach affects 10 people
- Cobb department heads ask for $92M+ in new spending
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