Imagine walking into your local library to borrow a book, only to discover that your personal information has been stolen by cybercriminals. That’s exactly what happened to the Toronto Public Library (TPL) in October, when a ransomware attack compromised a file server containing data on employees, customers, volunteers, and donors.
TPL revealed that the attackers stole a considerable amount of files, some of which contained sensitive information such as names, social insurance numbers, dates of birth, and home addresses. Even copies of government-issued identification documents provided by staff were likely taken. While the library’s cardholder and donor databases were not affected, some customer, volunteer, and donor data on the compromised file server may have been exposed.
Despite the breach, TPL has not paid a ransom and is working with external cybersecurity experts to investigate the incident. The library has reported the breach to Ontario’s Information and Privacy Commissioner and filed a report with the Toronto Police.
As a business owner, this incident should serve as a stark reminder that no organization is immune to cyberattacks. With a budget of over $200 million and a membership base of 1.2 million individuals, TPL is Canada’s largest public library system – and yet it still fell victim to ransomware.
Who’s behind the attack?
Although TPL has not officially attributed the attack to a specific ransomware operation, we have learned that the Black Basta ransomware gang was behind it. Black Basta emerged as a Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) operation in April 2022, targeting many corporate entities with double-extortion attacks.
Interestingly, the group is believed to be linked to the Conti ransomware gang, which disbanded in June 2022 after a series of embarrassing data breaches. One theory is that Black Basta may be a rebrand of Conti or linked to other Russian-speaking cyber threat groups. The gang has already targeted high-profile victims, including the American Dental Association, Sobeys, Yellow Pages Canada, and U.S. government contractor ABB.
What can you do to protect your business?
As a business owner, it’s crucial to recognize that cyberattacks are not a matter of if, but when. The TPL incident is just one example of the countless cyber threats that organizations face every day. To safeguard your business from similar attacks, you should:
- Invest in robust cybersecurity measures, such as firewalls, antivirus software, and regular system updates.
- Train your employees on cybersecurity best practices and how to spot phishing emails or suspicious activity.
- Implement strong password policies and encourage the use of multi-factor authentication.
- Regularly back up your data to ensure you can recover from a ransomware attack without paying a ransom.
- Work with a cybersecurity expert to assess your organization’s vulnerabilities and develop a comprehensive security plan.
Don’t wait until it’s too late
The TPL ransomware attack is a sobering reminder that no organization, large or small, is immune to cyber threats. Don’t wait until your business becomes the next target – take action now to protect your valuable data and reputation.
Get in touch with us today to learn how ZZ Servers can help you fortify your cybersecurity defenses and safeguard your business against ransomware attacks. We’re here to support you every step of the way.
