With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
Long Beach Declares A Local Emergency After Cybersecurity Breach
The Long Beach City Council declared a local emergency on Friday after a cybersecurity breach shut down some city systems earlier in the week.
(
Bill Geal via LAist's flickr pool.
)
The Long Beach City Council declared a local emergency on Friday after a cybersecurity breach forced the city to shut down some systems earlier this week.
The declaration allows the city manager to spend up to an additional $1 million to respond to the hack.
The city has suspended utility billing late fees and shutoffs for non-payment after the breach affected its ability to process payments. Long Beach's main public website and other city systems have remained offline since Wednesday.
Mayor Rex Richardson said the systems could remain offline for several more days until the city can safely and securely reintroduce them to the network.
Support for LAist comes from
"We're grateful that there's no indication that this incident has impacted our public safety systems, such as the emergency communication center and emergency response from police and fire," Richardson said at a special city council meeting on Friday. "And we can say with confidence that there have not been any major service disruptions to this point."
The following also remain unaffected:
- Long Beach Airport
- Street sweeping
- Refuse and recycling collection
- Flu and COVID-19 vaccine administration
- Gas Dispatch and Water Dispatch Centers. People can report a gas leak at (562) 570-2140. To report a water leak, people can call (562) 570-2390
Public works services also remain online through the Go Long Beach mobile app, but the city said residents should expect slight delays. E-books, public computers and printers remain offline at the library, however, people can still check out and return books using an offline circulation. Health and Human Services and Animal Care Services also remain open.
Richardson said the city learned of the breach on Nov. 14 and immediately notified the FBI and third-party cyber security officials. Neither Richardson nor city officials would comment on any specifics, citing an ongoing investigation.
In the meantime, the city is using LongBeach.Gov as a central information hub.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The historic properties have been sitting vacant for decades and were put on the market as-is, with prices ranging from $750,000 to $1.75 million. -
Users of the century old Long Beach wooden boardwalk give these suggestions to safely enjoy it. -
The Newport Beach City Council approved a new artificial surf park that will replace part of an aging golf course. -
The utility, whose equipment is believed to have sparked the Eaton Fire, says payouts could come as quickly as four months after people submit a claim. But accepting the money means you'll have to forego any lawsuits. -
The City Council will vote Tuesday on a proposal to study raising the pay for construction workers on apartments with at least 10 units and up to 85 feet high. -
The study found recipients spent nearly all the money on basic needs like food and transportation, not drugs or alcohol.
Best of LAist