Nevadaโ Remains silent on Ransom Payment Following Cyberattack
CARSON CITY, โคNV – More than two weeks after a significant cyberattack disrupted state government services, Nevadaโฃ officials have yet to disclose whether a ransom was paidโ to the attackers. The incident, initially described as a ransomware โฃattack by Governor Joe Lombardo, continues to fuel speculation and criticism regarding โopenness and the state’s cybersecurity preparedness.
The lack of โinformation is particularly โขsensitive as Nevada heads into an election โขyear, with Governor Lombardo considered a vulnerable incumbent. The attack impacted services across multiple state agencies, โขthough the full extent โคof โฃcompromised data remains unclear. While some states have enacted โlaws prohibiting the payment of ransoms to cybercriminals, Nevada currently lacks โขsuch legislation, leaving the option openโ for negotiation.
Governor Lombardoโ stated on September 11th, “Untilโข we know the hacker and the motivation it’ll โคbe hard to know what they were looking for.” He initially suggested the โฃmotivation was financial,โค indicating a potential ransom demand.
Michael Leonard,a former IT professional and publisher of Mike’s Reno Report,noted the possibility ofโ a deal being struck. “They could โhave cut a deal orโฃ paid a ransom,” Leonard said. “Keep quiet and we’ll give you โmoney.” He has been vocal about the need for greater transparency, stating the state needs “to come forward withโค enough information to ensure us they’re investigating and credible.” Leonard suspects political considerations are influencing the level of disclosure, suggesting “equal โmotivation” toโ protect the reputations of government and elected officials.
Democratic legislative leaders initially criticized Lombardo’s handling of the situation butโค haveโข as remained largely quiet. โขAssembly Speaker Steve Yeager โannounced the formation โof a legislative working group on cybersecurity on September 9th, but has notโข provided updates on its progress.
Governorโค Lombardo is up for reelection โคnext year, and Attorney โคgeneral Aaron โขFord is considered a potential โchallenger. Candidate filing does โฃnot beginโฃ until march.โฃ The ongoing silence surrounding the cyberattack and potential ransom payment raises questions about the state’sโค vulnerabilityโฃ and its commitment โto informing the public about threats to its digital infrastructure.