Leduc County has confirmed it was the victim of a deliberate ransomware attack that was first discovered on Christmas Day. While the investigation has temporarily disabled several online services and portals, officials report that preliminary findings suggest only minimal information was affected.
Leduc County officials recently announced that their information technology systems were targeted in a sophisticated cybersecurity breach. The incident was first detected on the afternoon of December 25, prompting an immediate response from the administration to contain the threat. Upon identifying the situation as a ransomware attack, the county took the proactive step of shutting down various IT systems to prevent further unauthorized access and to protect sensitive data.
The impact of the breach has led to the temporary suspension of several key public services. Residents are currently unable to access the county email platform, website form submissions, and the online portal used for safety codes and development permits. These outages are expected to continue while a comprehensive forensic investigation is conducted to determine the full scope of the attack and to ensure the integrity of the network before systems are brought back online.
Law enforcement and financial partners have been fully integrated into the recovery process. The RCMP confirmed they received a report of the attack on Christmas evening and are currently investigating the matter. Additionally, the county has notified its insurance providers and banking institutions to safeguard financial assets and coordinate the legal and technical response required for such high-level digital incursions.
Mayor Tanni Doblanko addressed the situation by stating that while no organization wishes to experience a cyberattack, the county’s quick detection allowed for a rapid engagement with cybersecurity experts. She noted that the decision to disable systems early on was a strategic move to mitigate potential damage. Current forensic reports indicate that the impact on data appears to be limited, providing some reassurance to the community as the recovery efforts proceed.
There is currently no specific timeline for when all services will be fully restored to the public. The county is working to complete the necessary security protocols and system cleanses required to resume normal business operations safely. Updates regarding the progress of the investigation and the restoration of digital services will be posted on the official county website as more information becomes available to residents and stakeholders.
Source: Leduc County Targeted In Christmas Day Cybersecurity Attack