The Mobile County Health Department recently experienced suspicious activity on their computer network, prompting officials to shut it down out of concern for a possible cyber attack. They are currently working with IT security consultants to assess the situation and determine the severity of the potential incident. Despite the uncertainty, all necessary authorities have been informed and steps are being taken to address the issue.
Dr. Kevin Michaels, Mobile County health officer, emphasized that patient care and community services remain the department’s top priority throughout this ordeal. Though the impact of the cyber attack is still unknown, all department services are expected to be available on Monday with potential modifications.
Cyber attacks on public systems are becoming increasingly common and can significantly disrupt essential services. In March, Birmingham city computers fell victim to a hacker, causing delays in various municipal functions. The police department’s ability to access essential databases was compromised, resulting in challenges in verifying stolen vehicles or individuals with outstanding warrants. Additionally, some employees experienced delays in receiving their paychecks due to computer issues, prompting a return to paper timesheets.
The ripple effects of the network outage are still being felt in Birmingham, as municipal services continue to recover from the cyber attack. Despite the challenges faced, efforts are being made to restore normal operations and ensure the security of public systems moving forward.