Calgary Public Library Shut Down: Cyberattack Forces Citywide Closure and Data Breach Concerns
Calgary Public Library locations remain closed across the city after a significant cyberattack that compromised several of the library’s systems. The breach led to a full shutdown of all physical locations on Friday at 5 p.m., with library officials acting swiftly to contain the situation.
As of Sunday morning, no updates have been provided regarding the full extent of the cyberattack. The library remains in the process of assessing the damage and working on a solution, with experts on cybersecurity involved in the investigation.
Cyber Threats Target Public Institutions
Tom Keenan, a professor at the University of Calgary’s School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape, highlighted the vulnerability of public institutions like libraries. “Almost everybody in Calgary has a library card, making it an attractive target for cybercriminals. Personal data like names, addresses, and emails are often shared when registering for a library card, creating a rich database that hackers could exploit.”
Keenan warned that the stolen data might be used for identity theft or personalized scams. For instance, hackers could access borrowing histories and use that information to craft scams, such as fake travel offers targeting specific users based on their interests. Keenan urged library users to stay vigilant against suspicious emails and to avoid clicking on unknown attachments.
Ransomware: A Growing Threat
Keenan noted that data breaches such as these are often linked to ransomware attacks, where hackers demand a payment in exchange for restoring access to compromised data. He emphasized that victims should never give in to these demands, as it only encourages further attacks.
Recent cyberattacks across Canada, such as those targeting London Drugs, have exposed sensitive data to the Dark Web after companies refused to meet ransom demands. Calgary Public Library users should be cautious about receiving any unexpected messages related to their borrowing history or personal details.
A Potential Wake-Up Call for IT Security
The cyberattack on Calgary’s library follows a similar incident in 2023, when the Toronto Public Library faced a four-month shutdown after a ransomware attack paralyzed its systems. Keenan hopes Calgary can avoid such a prolonged closure, but he underscored the need for public institutions to invest more in IT security to prevent future breaches.
Whitney Evans, a PhD student at the University of Calgary, expressed her frustration over the closure of her local library branch. Though she isn’t worried about data theft, she emphasized how much the community relies on these resources. “It’s inconvenient, but I understand. Hopefully, they’ll resolve the issue soon because we love the library.”
As Calgary Public Library continues to deal with the repercussions of the cyberattack, residents are advised to stay alert and protect themselves from potential scams related to the breach.
Source: Swifteradio.com
