Government offices and public services in Fremont County, Colorado, have been disrupted since August 17, 2022, due to a “cybersecurity event affecting our county computer systems.”

As of the official update issued August 24, 2022, “all of the county’s buildings remain closed. This includes administration and public health buildings.”

The update reveals how difficult it is to respond and recover from a cyber-attack, stating: “this devastating incident wreaked havoc with our computer systems.”

It also shows how disruptive it is to not have access to normal electronic processing procedures :

“The motor vehicles personnel have a tent located outside the administration building. They can take license plate tag renewal and handicap tag renewal requests. Minimal paperwork forms are available at the tent, including applications for handicap tags and power of attorney forms. County staff can look over title paperwork but will not keep it as they are unable to process it at this time. Neighboring counties cannot process title work for Fremont County residents.”

Government entities continue to be targeted by cyberattacks, which directly affect the availability of public services provided to area residents. When a government entity gets hit with a cyber-attack, it affects us all.

Photo of Linn Foster Freedman Linn Foster Freedman

Linn Freedman practices in data privacy and security law, cybersecurity, and complex litigation. She is a member of the Business Litigation Group and the Financial Services Cyber-Compliance Team, and chair’s the firm’s Data Privacy and Security Team. Linn focuses her practice on…

Linn Freedman practices in data privacy and security law, cybersecurity, and complex litigation. She is a member of the Business Litigation Group and the Financial Services Cyber-Compliance Team, and chair’s the firm’s Data Privacy and Security Team. Linn focuses her practice on compliance with all state and federal privacy and security laws and regulations. She counsels a range of public and private clients from industries such as construction, education, health care, insurance, manufacturing, real estate, utilities and critical infrastructure, marine and charitable organizations, on state and federal data privacy and security investigations, as well as emergency data breach response and mitigation. Linn is an Adjunct Professor of the Practice of Cybersecurity at Brown University and an Adjunct Professor of Law at Roger Williams University School of Law.  Prior to joining the firm, Linn served as assistant attorney general and deputy chief of the Civil Division of the Attorney General’s Office for the State of Rhode Island. She earned her J.D. from Loyola University School of Law and her B.A., with honors, in American Studies from Newcomb College of Tulane University. She is admitted to practice law in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Read her full rc.com bio here.