Critical Infrastructure Security, Threat Management, Malware, Ransomware

Ransomware disables Cleveland airport’s email systems, information screens

A ransomware attack reportedly has affected email, payroll and record-keeping systems at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport this week and also darkened the transportation facility's information screens

And according to a report from local news outlet WKYC, the attackers may have also accessed airport employee payroll records containing personal information.

An April 22 press release issued by the city of Cleveland acknowledged "technical issues... impacting a small number of systems," including email and airport departure, arrival and baggage information screens.

"All other systems are functioning as normal and there are no impacts to flights or safety and security operations," the release continued.

The attack began on Monday the 22nd and continued to impact airport display screens as of at least Wednesday, April 24. The FBI is reportedly investigating.

Cleveland Hopkins International is the 43rd busiest airport in the U.S. and is the main airport serving Cleveland and Northeast Ohio. Last year over 1.327 million passengers passed through the airport.

Bradley Barth

As director of multimedia content strategy at CyberRisk Alliance, Bradley Barth develops content for online conferences, webcasts, podcasts video/multimedia projects — often serving as moderator or host. For nearly six years, he wrote and reported for SC Media as deputy editor and, before that, senior reporter. He was previously a program executive with the tech-focused PR firm Voxus. Past journalistic experience includes stints as business editor at Executive Technology, a staff writer at New York Sportscene and a freelance journalist covering travel and entertainment. In his spare time, Bradley also writes screenplays.

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