The Seattle Public Library recently experienced a cybersecurity attack that it referred to as a “ransomware event,” causing disruptions to several online services available to the public. The attack began in the early morning hours on Saturday when the Library was preparing to take its systems offline for maintenance during the holiday weekend. As a result, access to staff and public computers, the online catalog and loaning systems, e-books and e-audiobooks, in-building Wi-Fi, and the Library website were all affected. The Library responded by engaging third-party forensic specialists, contacting law enforcement, and taking its systems offline to better understand the impact of the event.
While the Library’s buildings remain open at its 27 locations across Seattle, online services remain disrupted. Print books and physical materials are still available for checkout via paper forms, and patrons are encouraged to hold onto materials longer as the Library cannot currently check items back into its catalog. The Library assured patrons that no daily late fines will be charged for overdue materials, and once systems are back online, due dates for materials will be updated accordingly. The Library emphasized that the privacy and security of patron and employee information are top priorities and that systems will remain offline until security has been fully restored, with no specific timeline given for when that might occur.
This cybersecurity incident at the Seattle Public Library is the latest in a series of high-profile cyberattacks affecting organizations in the U.S. One such attack involved a ransomware gang known as RansomHub claiming credit for a cyberattack against the art auction house Christie’s, where sensitive information from at least 500,000 private clients was stolen. In another incident, a cyberattack on Ascension, one of the largest health systems in the U.S., impacted access to digital records across multiple states, forcing doctors and nurses to revert to using paper and handwritten treatment orders to track patient illnesses. Additionally, an attack earlier this year on Change Healthcare, the nation’s largest health care payment system, caused significant financial disruption.
The Seattle Public Library has made cybersecurity a top priority, engaging third-party forensic specialists and law enforcement to address the ransomware event impacting its technology systems. The organization is working to fully assess the nature and impacts of the cyberattack and ensure that patron and employee information remains secure. Despite the disruption to online services, the Library’s physical locations remain open, allowing patrons to continue accessing print books and physical materials for checkout. The Library has also reassured patrons that no daily late fines will be charged for overdue materials, and due dates will be adjusted once systems are back online.
With cyberattacks becoming more prevalent and impactful, organizations like the Seattle Public Library are increasingly vulnerable to security breaches that can disrupt services and compromise sensitive information. In response to this latest incident, the Library is taking proactive measures to restore security to its systems before resuming normal operations. The cyberattack serves as a reminder of the importance of cybersecurity measures and the need for organizations to remain vigilant in safeguarding their technology systems and information. By prioritizing privacy and security, the Seattle Public Library is working to address the impacts of the ransomware event and protect the interests of its patrons and employees.
