The Division of Legislative Automated Systems, which provides IT services to the Virginia General Assembly (the Assembly), detected a ransomware attack on December 10, 2021, that included “extremely sophisticated malware” that affected all of its servers.

The attack comes right before the  Assembly  commences its session in January.

Governor Ralph Northam was briefed on the attack and has deployed the assistance of other state agencies to respond to the attack.

Municipalities continue to be plagued with ransomware attacks, and in this instance, the timing of the attack, which is designed to cause as much disruption as possible, is typical of ransomware gangs. The attackers’ strategy is that the more disruptive the timing of the attack, the higher the likelihood that the ransom will be paid.

As we get closer to the holidays and the end of the year, it appears that attacks are happening more frequently and with higher impact.

Photo of Linn Foster Freedman Linn Foster Freedman

Linn Freedman practices in data privacy and security law, cybersecurity, and complex litigation. She is a member of the Business Litigation Group and the Financial Services Cyber-Compliance Team, and chairs the firm’s Data Privacy and Security and Artificial Intelligence Teams. Linn focuses her…

Linn Freedman practices in data privacy and security law, cybersecurity, and complex litigation. She is a member of the Business Litigation Group and the Financial Services Cyber-Compliance Team, and chairs the firm’s Data Privacy and Security and Artificial Intelligence Teams. Linn focuses her practice on compliance with all state and federal privacy and security laws and regulations. She counsels a range of public and private clients from industries such as construction, education, health care, insurance, manufacturing, real estate, utilities and critical infrastructure, marine and charitable organizations, on state and federal data privacy and security investigations, as well as emergency data breach response and mitigation. Linn is an Adjunct Professor of the Practice of Cybersecurity at Brown University and an Adjunct Professor of Law at Roger Williams University School of Law.  Prior to joining the firm, Linn served as assistant attorney general and deputy chief of the Civil Division of the Attorney General’s Office for the State of Rhode Island. She earned her J.D. from Loyola University School of Law and her B.A., with honors, in American Studies from Newcomb College of Tulane University. She is admitted to practice law in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Read her full rc.com bio here.