Guiding the Path to Healing
In the digital age, public institutions, including libraries, have become frequent targets for cyber-attacks. Three notable library systems – Toronto Public Library (TPL), Seattle Public Library (SPL), and Orion Township Public Library (OTPL) in Ontario, USA, and Washington, USA, respectively – have faced such challenges in recent years.
The first strike came in October 2023, when OTPL was hit by a ransomware attack. The IT director's quick action managed to halt the attack mid-strike, but the recovery process was long, complicated, and costly. OTPL's cyber insurance plan proved to be a crucial resource during this response.
Just a month later, in November 2023, OTPL's website was overwhelmed by a denial-of-service attack, causing it to go offline. A temporary site was set up, and the website underwent a permanent rebuild.
In October 2024, Seattle Public Library joined the list of breached libraries. The attack disrupted core systems, forcing circulation to revert to pen and paper. More than 1,000 computers systemwide were reimaged. To identify and expel the attackers, SPL engaged several outside consultants, including cybersecurity firms Critical Insight and Alvaka. Library leadership also sought advice from colleagues in Toronto, Boston, British Library, and Singapore, all of whom had experienced ransomware incidents.
Meanwhile, TPL faced a devastating breach in October 2023. Despite digital systems going offline, all 100 library branches remained open. Staff continued providing services, including manually checking out materials, which created a backlog of work. Once services had been fully restored in February 2024, TPL staff processed new library card registrations first, then worked through 1.4 million returns and renewals.
Resilience was central to carrying recovery forward across all three library systems. TPL had prepared for potential attacks by running tabletop exercises, and this readiness proved invaluable. Toronto's emergency plan included a Cyber Response Leadership Team, a Library Operations Centre, and a Management Response Team for internal communications and operations.
OTPL, SPL, and TPL point to structured response models as vital for managing chaos. In the wake of these attacks, it is clear that collaboration and shared learning will be key in protecting our digital libraries from future threats. With more than 15 million cyber-attacks occurring worldwide annually since 2020, the need for vigilance and preparedness is more important than ever.
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