LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A major cyberattack is impacting Louisville Metro Government and the Jefferson County Clerk's Office has confirmed they are currently facing a ransomware attack. The agency has an third party forensic team working on resolving the issue.
At this moment hackers have access to information stored in the clerk's office system and are demanding money in exchange for its release.
Spokesperson Ashley Tinius said it's still a fluid situation and are not able to confirm what specific information was stolen.
"Our it team is also working diligently to get this resolved," Tinius said.
On Tuesday, many Louisvillians drove to their nearest clerk's office just to read signs on the door that said they are closed from a network outage, and they will reopen that same morning. The office off of Dixie Highway, along with several others, remained closed following the ransomware attack.
Many locals said the closure is inconvenient as many of them were attempting to keep up with their car's registration or other services.
"I came here to get my tags renewed," Cooper Alexander, a Louisville resident, said.
James Stopinski, another resident, said going to the clerk's office as the last thing he had to do this afternoon.
Officials confirmed it's a ransomware attack the agency is facing. This means the files are now be held hostage for money.
It's leaving every branch office empty, employees at home and customers worried.
"To my understanding if we can be attacked like that for something as simple as this, what else does it affect in our every day lives?" Louisville resident Charles Hayden said. "Are they going to shut our whole lives down?"
"It's frustrating and we understand that our customers are frustrated," Tinius said. "And it's hard for us to not be able to help in this situation, but unfortunately these circumstances are completely out of our control because of this outside actor."
The attack isn't just impacting their entire motor vehicle services, but also house deeds and marriage licenses. Not knowing what information was taken is leaving Louisville residents concerned.
"Definitely my divers license, definitely my social because that stuff has happened before," Alexander said. "It's really easy to do a lot with that stuff."
Tinius said the office is working with an outside security forensic company and are helping restore everything they can't use right now.
Until JCCO is able to resolve this situation, offices will remain closed. There is no confirmed time or date on when that will happen.
Tinius said customers can still mail in documents or leave them at any official drop box, and you can also use the website to look at any records already in their system.
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