Town Summerville Suffers Ransomware Based Cyberattack

SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCSC) - Summerville leaders confirmed the town has been the victim of a cyberattack involving ransomware.

In a social media post , officials said their “vigilant monitoring systems” identified the attack, allowing it to be quickly contained and minimizing damage.

Town officials say there is not any evidence to indicate data or sensitive documents were compromised in this attack.

The Town of Summerville’s Public Information Officer Christopher Makowski said the attack began Thursday morning with Summerville Police Department reporting their administrative systems were down . The town’s IT department was notified 30 minutes later.

Makowski said the attack continued into the town’s systems Friday morning before it was identified and contained.

“We really kind of took focus and understood what was going on, and took the necessary steps to mitigate what could have already been done. But with cyberattacks, they’re tricky,” Makowski said.

The town is reportedly working closely with state and federal cybersecurity teams to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident as well as a full forensic review of all its systems.

Details such as what entity conducted the cyberattack and how it was completed are unknown at the moment and will be revealed once the investigation is completed.

The Town of Summerville currently has protocols in place for cyberattacks, but do not give details of specific protocols due to the sensitive nature of the information.

“We want to assure the community that all municipal departments, including police, fire, and public works, are fully operational and continue to respond to all calls, ensuring the ongoing safety and security of our residents,” the Town said in a statement. “We are committed to maintaining transparency throughout this process and will provide updates as more information becomes available. Your safety and trust are our top priorities.”

If the Town receives any information on the investigation or further developments, updates can be found on social media pages and the Town’s website.