Alberta city continues to recover following cyberattack

COLD LAKE, Alta. – “Since the attack, the city has remained open for services, though with limited capabilities,” noted CAO Kevin Nagoya. “It’s our priority to be here for our residents. Our doors have remained open.”

In a press release issued on Aug. 7, the City provided an update on the progress made since the attack.

“The City’s phone systems have been reinstated, as well as most of the business software and local computers,” the statement reads. However, some online services, including Citizen Self Service and the live webcams of the marina and beach, remain offline as a precautionary measure while the City’s IT systems undergo a thorough security assessment.

Residents are still able to pay bills online through their banks or visit City Hall in person to pay by cash, cheque, or credit via third-party OptionPay. Other facilities, including the Energy Centre, FCSS, Cold Lake Golf & Winter Club, and the Marina, have limited payment options, according to the press release.

Mayor Craig Copeland shared his experience with the ongoing recovery efforts, reflecting on the impact of being disconnected during the attack.

“I finally got loaded up with my emails and back online about 30 hours ago. It’s interesting how in your life when you don’t have something for a while, it sort of was a lost connection to the community and to business,” he said.

“The city staff are doing a great job. We’ve got a private company that’s also helping us bring us back online. But, you know, we took our time, assessed what was going on, didn’t panic, and understood how deep the cyberattack went and what it was that they had seen or whatever,” Copeland added.

The mayor assured residents that critical infrastructure, like the water and wastewater plants, were not affected because these systems were separate from the compromised ones. While the recovery will incur costs, he emphasized that nothing vital was compromised.

Looking ahead, Copeland emphasized the importance of caution in the recovery process.

“You’ve got to take your time on this, you can’t rush into it. It’s a slow grind, and we also want to learn how they got in. It is a long process, but it’s best to be careful. The City Hall was always open. We just were using a method of communication like the old ways before computers. So, it was an experience that hopefully will be once in a lifetime.”

He also highlighted the need for vigilance in the digital age, urging residents to be wary of phishing attempts and other online threats. “Be extremely cautious – that’s really the most important thing. There are always these emails that come from me and that aren’t really me, asking for money or gift cards. It’s just nonsense, so people got to be extremely cautious out there on the web.”

 

By Chantel Downes, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeland This Week

Feature image by iStock.com/amgun