Spain’s Calvià City Council subject to a ransomware attack

The Calvià City Council suffered a ransomware attack last week, prompting immediate efforts to restore the city’s normal operations. The announcement from Calvià showed the situation’s urgency, revealing that the attackers aimed to extort the council.

On the other hand, the city mayor immediately addressed the crisis by acknowledging that they deployed a team of IT specialists to conduct forensic analysis. Based on reports, the investigation team’s primary objective is to assess the scope of unauthorised access and start the recovery of impacted systems and services.

 

The ransomware attack on the Calvià City Council has impacted works related to the city’s daily routine.

 

The consequences of the cyberattack on Calvià City Council have been substantial, prompting the city to suspend all administrative deadlines for submissions, allegations, and requests until January 31, 2024.

Citizens with urgent document submissions can still use the General State Administration portal despite the challenges posed by the ransomware attack.

The city administration has contacted and cooperated with law enforcement agencies to help them deal with the repercussions of the ransomware attack. The city also filed necessary complaints, including preliminary forensic analysis information.

Expressing remorse for the inconvenience caused by the attack, the council emphasised its commitment to resolving the situation in the most orderly and efficient manner possible. The city’s statement reassured its citizens that telephone and face-to-face communications will remain unaffected by offering an alternative means of contact.

No ransomware gang has yet to claim responsibility for the attack, leaving the identities of the perpetrators a mystery. However, local media uncovered the staggering ransom demand of €10,000,000, roughly $11 million, highlighting the financially driven nature of the cybercriminals.

Still, the city mayor declared that the municipality would not pay the ransom under any circumstances as a firm stance against yielding to extortion. This detail underscores the growing concern surrounding ransomware attacks, which pose a significant risk to entities globally.

These cyber assaults can cripple vital municipal services, causing widespread disruptions in daily operations and public services. Lastly, the potential consequences could escalate further if such an attack occurs during peak tourism season, increasing the urgency for enhanced cybersecurity measures in the modern digital landscape.