Suffolk Clerk Received Multiple Alerts Before Cyberattack: Report

HAUPPAUGE, NY — The cyberattack that all but crippled Suffolk County's web-based applications in September was proceeded by a series of incidents highlighting the system's vulnerabilities and possible intrusions, prompting some department heads to plead for better security, according to a report.

The county's department heads repeatedly requested better security for the computer network, according to emails obtained by Newsday. The requests came after months of intrusion alerts — including a dozen in February — within the county clerk's office, according to the outlet.

The intrusion attempts were stopped, but indicated that "good, bad or indifferent, there was an intruder in the kitchen," a person with knowledge of the alerts told Newsday. "That should have been an indicator that something was going on."

For more in Newsday, click here.

Suffolk's web-based applications were attacked Sept. 8, forcing officials to take down some of its services, including web pages and email, while they undertook an investigation. The attack has since been deemed a ransomware attack.

County officials have never indicated what demands have been made.

A cybercriminal gang named "BlackCat" has alleged responsibility, according to posts on the dark web.

County officials have previously said that the hackers responsible for the cyberattack had either accessed or acquired residents' personal information and they advised vigilant credit monitoring.

Last week, county officials announced they would only keep a cybersecurity firm handling the ransomware attack until the end of November, Newsday reported.

RELATED STORIES:

• Suffolk Cyberattack Consultant Lobbies For Security Vendor: Report
• Funding Questioned As Suffolk IT Head Plans To Boost Staff, Equipment
• Suffolk's IT Dept. Got Millions For Security Before Attack: Report
• Suffolk Lawmakers Form Committee To Investigate Cyberattack: Report
• Suffolk Officials Warned Of Possible Cyberattack Months Ago: Report
• Suffolk Owes $140 Million To Vendors Since Cyberattack: Report
• Suffolk Cyberattack: Title Searches Return As Property Sales Delayed
• Suffolk Hack: Residents Told Obtain Credit Report, Look Over With Care
• 'Threat Actor' Claims Responsibility For Suffolk Hack On Dark Web
• Suffolk Exec Says 'Cyber Intrusion' Has Hallmarks Of Ransomware
• After Possible Cyberattack, Suffolk Deploys Manual Record-Keeping