BELLA VISTA, Ark. — After being closed for a week due to a "cybersecurity incident," the City of Bella Vista offices will reopen to the public on Tuesday, Aug. 27.
The offices closed down early on Monday, Aug. 19, after a possible cybersecurity attack was identified Sunday night by the city's 24/7 cybersecurity system. The system contained the threat until the city's IT personnel could shut all network systems down.
By Aug. 26, Bella Vista IT Director John Moeckel said they are still in the process of restoring the systems.
"We have determined all infected devices and are at 100% containment," he said. "We have not paid any ransom and restorations are proceeding forward."
Moeckel said there is no indication of any breach of personal information. The city is insured against cyber threats through the Arkansas Municipal League, and they have offered the city guidance on the road to restoration.
Moeckel said Springdale, Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Siloam Springs, Benton County, and Washington County sent additional IT workers to help with the restoration.
While IT personnel investigated the cyber incident, offices were closed to the public and city employees worked remotely during the week. Police and fire responses were not disrupted because they are on a different system.
"One remarkable result of an event such as this was that it was not crippling to the city’s operations as one may expect," Mayor John Flynn said. "Because of the pandemic’s widespread shift to remote work, we were able to maintain continuity within the city and still serve our residents."
The following offices will reopen Tuesday:
- City Hall
- Community Development Services
- Bella Vista District Court
- Bella Vista Public Library
- Bella Vista Street Department
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