Suffolk Pol Threatens Subpoena In Lost Cybersecurity Assessments

HAUPPAUGE, NY — Reports on Suffolk's cybersecurity assessments, required by a 2018 law enacted after a lawmaker's office was hacked, have been late or are missing, prompting lawmakers on a special investigative committee to seek answers, Newsday reported.

Two lawmakers in the newly established committee delving into Suffolk's Sept. 8 cyberattack told the outlet that they plan to delve deep into the reasons behind why the reports have not been readily available.

Legis. Anthony Piccirillo, a Republican from Holtsville, threatened to enable a not-often-used tactic of passing legislation enabling the Legislature to subpoena the documents, the outlet reported.

Piccirillo did tell the outlet that he does believe he will have cooperation, but he will introduce the legislation if need be.

The law's author, Legis. Sarah Anker, a Democrat from Shoreham, vowed the committee would “get to the bottom” of why so many reports are missing, adding, “I’ve demanded it every year. We need to find out how they addressed the bill’s requests and directives, and what was done," the outlet reported.

For more in Newsday, click here.

Suffolk's web-based applications were attacked Sept. 8, forcing officials to take down some of its services, including web pages and email, while they undertook an investigation. The attack has since been deemed a ransomware attack.

County officials have never indicated what demands have been made.

A cybercriminal gang named "BlackCat" has alleged responsibility, according to posts on the dark web.

County officials have previously said that the hackers responsible for the cyberattack had either accessed or acquired residents' personal information and they advised vigilant credit monitoring.

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