Alabama Investigates Major Cyberattack on State Systems

The Alabama Office of Information Technology (OIT) is investigating a possible cyberattack that may have compromised several state computer systems, Governor Kay Ivey’s office announced on Monday.

According to Ivey’s Communications Director, Gina Maiola, the cyber event was first detected on Friday evening. In response, the state has taken quick action to contain the situation and is working with a top cybersecurity firm to investigate and restore affected services.

“The security and reliability of our systems is a top priority,” Maiola said in a press release. “Immediate steps have been taken to secure the systems while we investigate the breach.”

Some state websites, email services, and phone lines may not be working properly due to the attack. OIT will continue to update the public through a dedicated page on its website.

Early findings show that some usernames and passwords of state employees were exposed. However, officials believe that the personal information of Alabama residents was not accessed.

“The source of the cyberattack is still under investigation,” Maiola said, adding that all state employees are being warned to be cautious of suspicious emails that may be part of the attack.

Cyberattacks on state systems are taken seriously under Alabama law. If confirmed, this incident could lead to serious charges. A cybercrime like this is classified at least as a Class B felony, which can carry up to 20 years in prison and a $30,000 fine. If the attack caused over $100,000 in damages or physical harm, it could be charged as a Class A felony, with a maximum penalty of life in prison.

As the investigation continues, the state is focused on protecting its systems and preventing further damage.