Carolina Beach to host cyber security workshop after $488K cyber attack

CAROLINA BEACH, NC (WWAY-TC) – Carolina Beach officials shared an update on Tuesday during a council meeting after the town fell victim to two cyberattacks late last year.

The attack occurred in December last year and resulted in the theft of more than $487,000. The town says it believes the hack occurred while updating its cybersecurity policies.

During Tuesday’s town council meeting, Oakley said the attack was no fault of anyone on staff and all procedures were followed.

Officials said the crimes are international in scope and are connected to an ongoing federal investigation in another state. Oakley said the town is looking at its budget and what they have left to spend this year, including what town positions have been filled.

Oakley said they are considering delaying or cutting unfilled positions or delaying projects and purchases so this attack won’t affect taxpayers.

“That said we all feel this great responsibility to tax payers, council and citizens and I know how hard we’ve worked with council to get our fund balance up, we want to make sure this doesn’t affect our fund balance,” Oakley said.

Oakley said these attacks are ongoing and staff are receiving more training to combat future attacks.

The town will also be hosting a cyber security workshop on Mar. 3 at council chambers that is open to the public.