Ransomware Attacks on Government Systems in Ohio, Oklahoma, and Puerto Rico

**Ransomware Attacks Disrupt Government Services in Ohio, Oklahoma, and Puerto Rico** Over the past week, cybercriminals launched ransomware attacks targeting government systems in Ohio, Oklahoma, and Puerto Rico, disrupting critical services for thousands of residents. In **Durant, Oklahoma**, a city of over 20,000 and the largest settlement on the Choctaw Nation reservation, officials confirmed a ransomware attack on Sunday. The city’s website remains offline, and digital payment systems are affected. While emergency services remain operational via 911, the police department reported network outages, leading to longer wait times. The incident follows a pattern of ransomware attacks on Native American governments this year, with the **RansomHub** gang claiming responsibility for previous strikes in Minnesota and Michigan. Meanwhile, **Lorain County, Ohio**, home to over 315,000 residents, disclosed a network security incident that forced multiple government systems offline. Courts were temporarily shut down, though emergency services remained available. The county has engaged cybersecurity experts to investigate the breach, which follows recent ransomware attacks on Cleveland Municipal Court and Columbus, Ohio, the latter exposing data of over 500,000 residents. In **Puerto Rico**, the Department of Justice and the Puerto Rico Innovation and Technology Service reported a cyberattack targeting the **Criminal Justice Information Office**. As a precaution, services—including criminal record certificate issuance—were suspended while authorities work to contain the breach. The FBI and CISA have not commented on their involvement, though both agencies previously assisted Puerto Rico in responding to a cyberattack on its water supply agency. The attacks highlight the ongoing vulnerability of municipal systems, with recovery efforts often spanning weeks or months. In **Abilene, Texas**, officials are still rebuilding infrastructure after an April ransomware attack, despite refusing to pay the ransom. The city faces potential data leaks of 477 GB of resident information.