WKSU Stories

Protecting Data Will Require More Money According to UA Expert

Ideastream Public Media | By Brandon Bounds

Published April 30, 2019 at 4:30 PM EDT

When the city of Akron was hit with a malicious software attack, the state sent in a National Guard unit to assist.

Cleveland City Council has approved spending $750,000 to hire two technology firms to fix computer problems at Hopkins Airport.

The city says malicious software infected the airport’s computer network, disrupting flight and baggage claim display terminals as well as the email system.

This week a Brunswick church also fell victim to hackers. St. Ambrose was tricked into putting nearly $2 million into a phony bank account.

University of Akron cybersecurity program director John Nicholas said these attacks require vigilance.

“The unfortunate truth of the 21^st century is companies are going to have to spend far more on information technology and protecting data than they would have thought maybe even five years ago.”

Earlier this year hackers attacked the city of Akron’s computer network.

Cleveland officials say passengers at Hopkins were never in danger and terminals are back on line. Work continues on the email system.