City Of Tulsa Gives Ransomware Attack Update, Systems To Be Turned On In Phases

The City of Tulsa says their computer systems will be turned on in phases after a ransomware attack earlier this month.

Some could be turned on in the next few days, while it may take a month for others.

Tulsa city officials say they are working long hours trying to get everything back to normal.

This all started 12 days ago, when the city announced that hackers had broken into their computer network with ransomware.

Mayor G.T. Bynum says the city immediately took their network offline to investigate.

Bynum says the city never made contact with the hackers and refused to make any type of payment.

He says the city updated their online protections a few years ago, which is allowing their IT team to internally investigate and check every system in their network.

The city has a priority plan in place and some systems could be back online in the next few days.

Right now, departments like police and fire are having to use some manual processes, and the city's online payment system is also down.

Bynum says Tulsans should know that they will not negotiate with hackers and your information is safe.

"Your data here at the City of Tulsa is secure and know that your tax dollars are not going to go into the hands of criminals," said Bynum.

Meanwhile, the FBI is investigating this case.

They have identified who is responsible, but they're not releasing that information right now.