Ransomware

The city says nearly 77,000 records, including incident and traffic reports, were breached during the attack.

Problems caused by the attack included delayed or lost lab results, medication errors, and an absence of routine safety checks to prevent potentially fatal mistakes, doctors and nurses told reporters.

Several Kansas City government offices have been targeted by cybercrimes in recent months. A local cybersecurity adviser with the Department of Homeland Security explains why high-profile attacks are growing more frequent, and how agencies and individuals can avoid becoming victims.

The recent ransomware attack which closed the Jackson County Assessment, Collection and Recorder of Deeds offices is just the latest in a series of cyberattacks against government offices in the Kansas City metro over the past few years. Federal advisors say attacks against municipalities are growing in number, often because they’re the easiest targets.

U.S. hospitals have seen a record number of cyberattacks in recent years. Such attacks can upend hospital operations, costing millions of dollars and putting patients' lives at risk.

The ransomware group known as Hive has stolen confidential patient information from Sikeston-based Missouri Delta Medical Center, including Social Security numbers and medical information.

A rapid increase in the frequency and severity of ransomware attacks around the country is making cyber defense essential. Kansas City’s cybersecurity industry is rising to the challenge.