NJ county impacted by ransomware attack

CNN reports that New Jersey's Somerset County has been hit by a ransomware attack on May 24, prompting immediate shutdowns of its computers to prevent further compromises. Somerset County officials emphasized that only its email and IT systems, including a web form for replacement mail-in ballot requests for the state's primary elections, were impacted by the attack, while emergency service systems and phone lines have not been disrupted.It would also take a few days before the county's digital infrastructure is completely restored, according to Somerset County Director of Public Information Nathan Rudy, who also noted that the FBI is already working on identifying the still-unknown attackers. Fewer U.S. organizations have been impacted by ransomware attacks since the conflict between Russia and Ukraine commenced, according to senior National Security Agency official Rob Joyce. However, ransomware attacks have already compromised 22 state or local governments, including Somerset County, just for this year alone, said Recorded Future Senior Intelligence Analyst Allan Liska.