Balt. Co. Public Schools ransomware price tag nears $10 million

The cost of the ransomware attack on the Baltimore County Schools is now nearly $10 million.

That comes one year after the cyber attack crippled the school system.

WYPR received the latest cost of the ransomware attack from the school system after submitting a Freedom of Information Act request. As of November 12, it is almost $9.7 million.

The school system is expecting about $2 million of the overall cost to be covered by insurance...

...The county schools had to shut down for three days last year because of the cyberattack. They were closed the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and two days the following week. Since then, the school system has been rebuilding its computer network and putting in safeguards...

https://www.wypr.org/wypr-news/2021-11-22/bcps-ransomware-price-tag-nears-10-million?fbclid=IwAR2EyEK3DUcE4ZNWYInqMX9sPdAkfabH0AH8M7HCbTq68MXMa02nVQTfkg4

Baltimore County Schools cyber-security lapse may be broader than originally announced

BALTIMORE COUNTY, Md. (WBFF) - The cyber-security lapse made public this week by Baltimore County Public Schools may include more people than originally announced.

BCPS said Wednesday approximately 2,500 employees were involved in an incident involving personal information exposed on an internal website.

However, FOX45 News has spoken to six people who received letters related to personal information being involved in the matter.

None of them say they have ever been employed by Baltimore County Public Schools...

https://foxbaltimore.com/news/local/baltimore-county-schools-cyber-security-lapse-may-be-broader-than-originally-announced?fbclid=IwAR1FjqfphS6MBR8TYFDVMRmA9VWgvO8Zwuf4ihuGfEzndMrEh7ml6wmrBNg

Baltimore County School Superintendent Angers Council Over Lack Of Ransomware Details

The Baltimore County Council grilled School Superintendent Darryl Williams Tuesday over details about November’s ransomware attack.

Council members were not happy with Williams’ answers.

Democratic County Councilman Tom Quirk asked Williams if the school system paid off the hackers and if so, would insurance cover it. Williams’ answer dealt with the overall cost of the ransomware attack.

“I won’t have those final amounts until later in spring, maybe May or June,” Williams said.

So, Quirk asked again.

“I guess the direct question is did Baltimore County Public Schools pay ransom? It’s just a direct question.”

Williams responded, “We’ve used our resources to help us repair and restore.”

Quirk said he wants an answer on whether a ransom was paid before the council signs off on the school system’s budget this spring. The public schools account for about half of the county’s $3.8 billion spending plan.

“I’m not prepared to vote on the budget until we have a better answer on that one,” Quirk said...

https://www.wypr.org/post/baltimore-county-school-superintendent-angers-council-over-lack-ransomware-details?fbclid=IwAR3PYTsumCY6xWzttkFkwx1VzHP6EGN5uZ-AJVJV00qNpi1Qv7aWjhvaDyQ