Toronto Zoo remains open after ransomware attack

Image Source: TorontoZoo

(Aanchal Nigam / Red Maple)

On Monday, Toronto Zoo announced it was tackling a ransomware attack which was identified on January 5. The zoo, which is reportedly visited by over 1.2 million people annually and houses a vast variety of animals totaling over 5,000, started probing the incident right away.

The zoo clarified that they were examining the potential effects on visitors, members, and donor information, but reassured that credit card data is not stored. They promised to update everyone once more details are available. Zoo authorities confirmed that their animal care and guest services weren't hindered and that their website and ticket sales were functioning normally.

Toronto Police and the city's Chief Information Security Officer are reportedly  jointly handling the situation with the help of cyber security professionals. Zoo representatives mentioned that their response to queries might slow down due to this event. They expressed gratitude for recent technological upgrades that helped them during this crisis.

No group has claimed responsibility for this incident. However, it recalls a similar event at ZooTampa in the U.S., which was hit by a well-known cybercrime group. Toronto has experienced several significant ransomware attacks in the past year, affecting various institutions like the public library, which is still recovering from its own incident.

The city's renowned paediatric hospital also encountered a ransomware attack about a year ago, and a city government service was compromised through a widely-used file transfer service. 

Additionally, a 2021 ransomware attack hampered the operations of Toronto's public transportation, impacting systems used by drivers and passengers.