Columbus Reaches Agreement With Cybersecurity Expert Following Data Breach

The City of Columbus has reached a significant agreement with cybersecurity expert Connor Goodwolf, who previously disclosed critical information regarding a cyberattack that compromised sensitive data. This resolution comes after a tumultuous period marked by legal disputes and public concern over the safety of personal information.

Key Takeaways

• Columbus has agreed to a permanent injunction with cybersecurity expert Connor Goodwolf.

• The city has dropped its civil lawsuit against Goodwolf.

• Goodwolf can discuss the types of data exposed but cannot share personal identifiable information.

• The city is still recovering from a cyberattack that occurred in July.

Background of the Cyberattack

In July, the City of Columbus discovered a significant cyberattack that led to the exposure of sensitive data belonging to residents, city employees, and crime victims. The breach was attributed to the hacker group Rhysida, which claimed to have stolen 6.5 terabytes of data, later releasing 45% of it on the dark web.

The city first became aware of the breach on July 18 when abnormal activity was detected in its systems. Following this, the city severed its internet connection to mitigate further damage. On August 13, Mayor Andrew Ginther stated that the stolen data was likely corrupted or encrypted, rendering it useless. However, Goodwolf contradicted this claim, revealing that he had accessed personal information from the leaked data.

Legal Developments

In response to Goodwolf's disclosures, the city filed a civil lawsuit against him, seeking to prevent the dissemination of sensitive information. A temporary restraining order was granted on August 29, followed by a preliminary injunction on September 11. However, recent developments have led to a more amicable resolution.

City Attorney Zach Klein announced that the city would drop its lawsuit against Goodwolf and extend a permanent injunction that allows him to discuss the types of data exposed while prohibiting the sharing of personal identifiable information, such as:

• Social Security numbers

• Driver's license numbers

• Bank account information

• Medical records

Moving Forward

The new agreement aims to foster a collaborative dialogue between Goodwolf and the city regarding cybersecurity issues. Goodwolf expressed his desire for the city to establish a method for reporting sensitive information, emphasizing the importance of transparency in cybersecurity incidents.

Klein stated, "While I remain concerned about anyone having access to this sensitive data, conversations with Mr. Ross have been positive, and all parties have agreed to move forward with an agreement that continues to prevent the dissemination of information, such as confidential law enforcement records, while protecting free speech."

As Columbus continues to recover from the cyberattack, the agreement with Goodwolf marks a pivotal step in rebuilding trust within the cybersecurity community. The city has also offered free credit monitoring services to affected residents, highlighting its commitment to safeguarding personal information in the wake of the breach. The resolution of this case underscores the importance of collaboration between cybersecurity experts and city officials in addressing the challenges posed by cyber threats.

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Sources

• City of Columbus reaches agreement with cybersecurity expert | 10tv.com, 10TV.

• Columbus reaches agreement with cybersecurity expert whistleblower, The Columbus Dispatch.

• Columbus city attorney drops lawsuit against cybersecurity whistleblower | WOSU Public Media, WOSU Public Media.