Lessons from the Colorado Public Defender Ransomware Attack: Why Multilayered Cybersecurity Matters

We hear about cybersecurity incidents, but one recently hit much closer to home. Katherine, our VP of Revenue, has a sister who is a Public Defender for the State of Colorado. Last Friday, Katherine’s sister called her and said, “All my data has been encrypted by something called Black Suit.” Unfortunately, ransomware took down the entire network of the State of Colorado Public Defenders. This has disrupted the Colorado justice system, with public defenders unable to access case files or effectively represent their clients, court cases stalled, and justice coming to a halt.

What’s particularly alarming about this situation is the glaring vulnerability that allowed the attack to escalate unchecked. The public defender system, like many organizations, had deployed several cybersecurity software tools to monitor the network and flag suspicious activity. All these alerts flowed into a single internal individual. They were not working with a Security Operations Center (SOC) or any outsourced cybersecurity provider. Unfortunately, this risky setup proved disastrous when that individual happened to be traveling as the encryption process commenced.

So, what can we learn from this sobering tale?

First and foremost, the importance of multilayered cybersecurity – from computer and network security and managed security services like an outsourced  SOC to immutable backups and Business Continuity Plans – cannot be overstated. Relying solely on automated tools or burdening a single individual exposes an organization dangerously. A combination of robust security software solutions, regular security audits, and proactive human oversight is essential to fortify defenses against evolving threats.

Secondly, humans, for all their capabilities, are fallible. No individual can be expected to catch every threat, especially when burdened with sole responsibility. Thus, it’s imperative to implement procedures and protocols that distribute risk and responsibility across multiple team members. By diversifying oversight and establishing clear escalation paths, organizations can mitigate the impact of human error and ensure timely detection and response to potential threats.

This event highlights the importance of being staffed and monitoring your network 24/7. Then, no matter your availability of your internal staff, you know your network is protected. LK Tech has deployed Security Operations Center services for most customers. Hundreds of threats have been caught and isolated in the last three years of support before any damage is done.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the ransomware attack on the Colorado Public Defender system is a stark reminder of the real-world consequences of inadequate cybersecurity measures. It’s a cautionary tale that underscores the need for vigilance, preparedness, and a holistic approach to security. By embracing multilayered defenses and acknowledging the limitations of human oversight, we can better safeguard our digital infrastructure and protect the essential services upon which we all rely. Let’s learn from these experiences and strive to build a more resilient and secure digital future.