In October 2019, the City of Johannesburg became the victim of a ransomware attack that shut down several of the city’s online platforms. The attackers demanded a ransom in Bitcoin to restore access to critical systems, which affected service delivery, including billing, payments, and other online services for residents.
This attack brought to light the vulnerability of municipal systems to cyberattacks and the significant impact that such attacks can have on local government services.
Lessons Learned:
- Importance of Data Backups: The ability to restore data from backups is crucial in the event of ransomware attacks, allowing organizations to avoid paying ransoms and still recover data.
- Cybersecurity for Public Services: Municipalities must recognize that their digital platforms are just as critical as those of private organizations. Failure to secure them can lead to widespread public disruption.
- Ransomware Awareness Training: Ransomware is often introduced through phishing emails, highlighting the need for staff training to recognize and avoid such threats.
How Afritech Computing Would Have Assisted: Afritech Computing would have provided the City of Johannesburg with an effective ransomware defense strategy that includes regular system backups and a recovery plan to restore services without paying a ransom. Our cybersecurity awareness training programs would educate city staff on phishing attacks, reducing the likelihood of ransomware being introduced through user error. Additionally, our managed services would ensure that the city’s digital platforms are continuously monitored and protected from such threats.
