Suffolk Owes $140 Million To Vendors Since Cyberattack: Report

HAUPPAUGE, NY — Suffolk Comptroller John Kennedy says the county owes about $140 million in payments to its vendors since the shutdown of county computer systems following the Sept. 8 cyberattack, Newsday reports.

The county has missed five payment cycles in which $15 million to $20 million is paid to its vendors and Kennedy said he has been handwriting checks since the attack, the outlet reported.

He estimates county officials have spent $1 million investigating the attack, according to the outlet.

To read 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.

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.
Civil service exams that were postponed earlier this month were rescheduled last week.

Officials resumed allowing title companies to perform searches last Monday, nearly a month after the county’s web-based applications were disrupted following a ransomware attack on Sept. 8.
The county’s 911 emergency call center, which had been supplemented by the New York Police Department was restored last week.

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