News Summary

The City of Hamilton, Ontario, faces a significant financial challenge following a ransomware cyberattack in February 2024. The attackers encrypted the city’s systems, demanding a ransom of $18.5 million, which was not paid. As a result, the city has incurred $18.3 million in costs, largely due to the lack of multi-factor authentication, which led the insurer to deny the claim. The expenses primarily covered external expert fees, infrastructure, and staffing, with ongoing recovery efforts. Mayor Andrea Horwath emphasized the need for proactive investments in public infrastructure to prevent future incidents.