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City officials confirm leaked information on the dark web

COLUMBUS, Ohio – In a press conference Saturday, Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther and City Attorney Zach Klein confirmed that personal information was published on the dark web following a cyberattack last month.

What you need to know

  • In a press conference on Saturday, Columbus city officials confirmed that personal information was published on the dark web following a cyberattack last month.

  • What was particularly worrying was that one of the data sources disclosed was the public prosecutor's database, which contains information on those involved in the justice system, such as defendants, victims and witnesses.

  • The mayor said they continue to work with the FBI, their own cybersecurity and the city attorney to deal with the aftermath of an attack by what he called a “sophisticated criminal network.”

  • The mayor and city attorney also highlighted the city's announcement that they are expanding credit monitoring through Experian.

What was particularly worrying was that one of the data sources disclosed was the public prosecutor's database, which contains information on all those involved in the justice system, such as defendants, victims and witnesses.

“I want to express how concerned I am,” Ginther said. “I want to assure the people of Columbus that we are taking this matter very seriously.”

He said they would continue to work with the FBI, their own cybersecurity and the prosecutor to deal with the aftermath of an attack by what he called a “sophisticated criminal network.”

This announcement comes after the mayor stated earlier this week that no personal data had been dumped on the dark web and that screenshots of data files were the attackers' “most convincing asset.”

He said they have a team of IT and cybersecurity experts working to restore the city's IT infrastructure and protect it from future attacks.

He repeatedly pointed out that Columbus was not the only target of a cyberattack.

“Unfortunately, we are facing a problem that is becoming increasingly common in today's world: countless cities, businesses and Americans have fallen victim to cybercrimes like this,” he said.

 


The mayor and city attorney also highlighted the city's announcement that they are expanding credit monitoring through Experian. Columbus residents and nonresidents who have provided information to the city/municipal court can sign up for free, two-year monitoring through Experian here.

Klein said he shared the mayor's concerns and frustration, particularly regarding the potential disclosure of information about witnesses and victims.

“While accessing the dark web requires a certain level of expertise – it's not something you can just Google – it's still a fact that criminals with their own sophistication may be able to access it,” he said.

He recommended that anyone who feels they need a restraining order should contact the Legal Aid Society of Columbus, anyone who wants to escape an abuser should contact Lutheran Social Services CHOICES, and anyone who feels they are in an imminently dangerous situation should call the police.

“It's fine if (the cyber attackers) are sitting in Eastern Europe or wherever and are stealing data, but every field of that data is a person or a loved one in our community,” he said.

The mayor said the investigation could take months, noting that millions have been invested in the city's cybersecurity in recent years, but that more clearly needs to be done.

“At this point, I'm sorry to say we're going to find that these criminals have accessed or released more personal information,” he said. “I understand how frustrating that is for those who have been affected or are wondering if this is the case.”

Spectrum News 1 reporter Aliah Keller contributed to this report.

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