Back to the stone age. This Wednesday morning, the town hall of Lille admitted to being the subject of a cyberattack. “The city of Lille is currently undergoing an intrusion into its information system”, we explain in a press release. The extent of the damage caused by hackers is still unknown, especially if there were data leaks.
The city clarified that “security and data protection measures were taken”, as soon as the intrusion was discovered, early this Wednesday morning. As a result, the operation of many services is disrupted. Access to the municipality’s switchboard is “inoperative until further notice”, as well as, according to our information, the landline telephone numbers of sports and cultural facilities (zoo, museums, swimming pools). Other public services continue to operate, but in degraded mode “due to the temporary inability to access certain software”.
Public services maintained
Nevertheless, the town hall ensures that the physical appointments scheduled with users are maintained. However, the administrative procedures will require more time, in particular for the civil status which only works in a “handwritten way”. Despite everything, “the public cultural, sports and leisure facilities are open”, assures the city.
A police investigation has been opened. At this stage, neither the perpetrators nor the motivations of this attack are known. A press briefing is planned at the town hall at the end of the afternoon.