Ransomware attack forces Indiana's Clay County to declare a local disaster emergency

A major data security incident has forced Indiana’s Clay County to file a local disaster declaration following a severe disruption to its daily operations.

 

In a social media post, Clay County said that on July 9, it was a victim of a significant data security incident. The county soon launched an investigation, with assistance from external cyber security experts, to determine the nature and scope of the attack.

 

The investigation concluded that the county suffered a ransomware attack that disrupted its ability to provide critical and necessary services.

 

“Clay County local government suffered a significant ransomware attack in the early morning hours of July 9, 2024. This has resulted in an inability to provide critical services required for the daily operation of all offices of the Clay County Courthouse, Community Corrections, and Clay County Probation.

 

“Whereas Clay County, Indiana has been impacted by a significant disruption in services as a result of a criminal ransomware attack,” reads the notice.

 

Recently, the Clay County Board of Commissioners declared a “local disaster emergency” so that the county can work on recovering its affected systems.

 

“All public offices and employees of Clay County are hereby directed to exercise the utmost diligence in the discharge of duties required of them for the duration of the emergency and in the execution of emergency and in the execution of emergency laws, regulations, and directives---state and local.

 

“All agencies involved will cooperate with the Clay County Emergency Management Agency to reach our goals,” the County officials added.

 

Officials have advised residents to comply with necessary emergency measures, and cooperate with public officials and disaster service forces in executing emergency operations plans. 

 

The County has also requested residents to obey and comply with the lawful directions of properly identified officers. The “Local Disaster Declaration” state is applicable till July 18 but it can be extended depending on the circumstances at that time.