Rhode Island's Cybersecurity Breach – Who's at Risk?
A Troubling Cyberattack
In December 2024, Rhode Island experienced a significant ransomware attack targeting its RIBridges system, which is managed by Deloitte. This system, used to administer public assistance programs, was compromised by the Brain Cipher ransomware group. Sensitive data, including names, Social Security numbers, and banking information, is believed to have been stolen, exposing residents to the risk of identity theft.
Who Is Affected?
The breach affects individuals using programs such as:
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Rhode Island Works (RIW)
- Child Care Assistance Program
- And more
Residents are encouraged to monitor their accounts, update passwords, and consider placing credit freezes to mitigate potential risks.