The Seattle Public Library expects to pay $1 million out of their own pocket responding to a ransomware attack that shut down internet access, public computers, and in-person checkouts to all 27-branches around the city on Memorial Day, according to library officials.
Thursday, Library Director of Administrative Services, Rob Gannon, told his board of trustees the money includes $800,000 in consulting fees and $200,000 for extra technology costs. According to Chief Librarian Tom Fay, the money will also paid out of the ‘s 2024 budget of the Seattle Public Library by the end of the year because it doesn’t meet the City of Seattle’s cyber liability policy deductible, which is also $1 million.
The attack is the first of two major attacks to hit area organizations the public uses daily. Last month, “threat actors” attacked the Port of Seattle impacting various services, including at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Rhysida, the group credited with carrying out that attack, reportedly posted stolen files on the “dark web” and sought 100 bitcoin as payment, which is the equivalent of around $6 million…