The Hill reported that an alleged cyberattack targeted the computer infrastructure of the New York State Legislature overnight, causing delays to the ongoing state budget negotiations, which were already weeks overdue.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul confirmed that the cyberattack occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, triggering a rapid response from cybersecurity officials.

As of now, the precise motive behind the attack remains unclear. According to Gothamist, a blog website focused on New York City and operated by New York Public Radio, the legislature's bill drafting office suffered the most significant impact. This office is responsible for determining the final wording of the state budget.

The state budget, originally scheduled for completion by the end of March, is currently delayed by 17 days, as per legislators. The Hill reported that in response to the cyberattack, the bill drafting office has reverted to using a computer file system last updated over 20 years ago, dating back to 1994.

Hochul stated during a WNYC radio appearance with Brian Lehrer, as reported by The Hill, that the budget process is expected to take longer due to the substantial amount of data stored in the computers on the legislative side.

The Hill reported that members of Congress are expressing concerns over the increasing frequency of cyberattacks and their potential threats to businesses and governments. This focus on Washington has intensified in recent months.

Last month, the Biden administration issued a specific warning to state water and wastewater systems, cautioning about the potential for attacks on critical infrastructure. This alert highlighted the possibility of such attacks being launched against vital systems.

Image source: ANI