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Written by: E. George
Published December 27, 2024 @ 12:55 PM ET
FULTON COUNTY, Ga. – The United States Department of State has announced a $10 million reward for information that leads to the capture of Dmitry Khoroshev, the individual believed to be behind the ransomware attack that impacted Fulton County approximately one year ago. Khoroshev is reportedly linked to the infamous Russian ransomware group known as Lockbit, which claimed responsibility for the attack and demanded millions of dollars in exchange for unlocking the county’s data.
Despite the group’s demands, Fulton County refused to pay the ransom, and, to date, no sensitive data has been released. County officials asserted that the cybercriminals did not access the amount of data they originally claimed. Although the attack caused significant disruption to services for several weeks, the county maintains that none of its sensitive information was compromised.
Fulton County Chairman Robb Pitts explained the severity of the situation, describing it as an instance of the county being “held hostage.” He noted how everyday services were halted—residents couldn’t access library services, obtain marriage licenses, or check their taxes, all of which had become temporarily inaccessible.
Ransomware attacks, like the one on Fulton County, occur when cybercriminals infiltrate an organization’s network, lock its data, and demand a ransom to restore access. Last year alone, these attacks generated a staggering $1 billion in ransom payments, but the trend has shifted.
While more than 80 percent of organizations once paid the ransom, that number has dropped significantly to around 30 percent in recent times. The FBI strongly advises organizations against paying these ransoms, a recommendation fully supported by Chairman Pitts and other county officials. As Pitts emphasized, using taxpayer money irresponsibly was never an option.
Pitts stated, “It’s taxpayers’ money, and we certainly weren’t gonna play footloose and fancy-free with our taxpayers’ money.”
The breach itself was traced back to a single employee’s error—one faulty click, according to Fulton County officials. Since the attack, the county has invested heavily in improving its cybersecurity infrastructure, dedicating millions of dollars to strengthen its IT system and reduce the risk of future breaches.
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