Ransomware attack hits Cleveland Airport crippling email services and information screens

• A ransomware attack hit Cleveland Hopkins International Airport disabling information screens displaying in-airport flight arrivals, departures and baggage claims.
• The City of Cleveland calls this attack as an isolated technical issue that has impacted a limited number of systems.

What is the issue - On April 22, 2019, a ransomware attack hit Cleveland Hopkins Internation Airport disabling information screens that display in-airport flight arrivals, departures and baggage claims.

Why it matters - The attack halted the services for days and the FBI is investigating the incident in order to determine the source of the attack and to restore the services back to normal operations. However, as of yesterday (April 25, 2019), the services still remain paralyzed.

The big picture

The City of Cleveland calls this attack as an isolated technical issue that has impacted a limited number of systems. Upon learning the incident, the city published a press release in its website stating that it is an isolates technical issue and airport officials are working to address the issue.

“Email is temporarily down as well as in-airport flight and baggage information screens. All other systems are functioning as normal and there are no impacts to flights or safety and security operations,” the press release read.

A Cleveland city source revealed that the attack not only disabled information screens and email services, but also payroll and record keeping services. However, the city hall denied the news claiming it to be ‘misinformation’.

“To help clarify some misinformation that is being circulated, core business systems such as accounting, payroll, timekeeping, etc., are maintained at the City level, were not compromised and remain fully functional,” the city hall said.

It further confirmed that the incident has not impacted the airport’s safety and security operations, as well as, no personal information has been compromised.